Anaconda. Photo: Courtesy

If you can't stand snakes then look away now - this is the stunning video captured by dam construction workers in Brazil of a gigantic 10m anaconda that found its way into their building site.

The huge serpent, capable of eating a man, has been tied down to a crane and a chain is wrapped around it.

Weighing an estimated 400kg, the snake's length is truly awesome and can be seen in full as the camera operator tracks from head to tail.

It was said to have been found by workers building the Belo Monte dam in Altamira, Brazil, and was flushed out by an explosion.

But the images provoked a storm of criticism on YouTube from commenters who said the snake should not have been killed.

One commenter said: "Shame on these people for killing it! A snake that big has probably been alive for a very long time now, just to be killed for a few pictures? What a waste."

Giant anaconda. Photo: Courtesy

Another added: "Why would you kill such a beautiful snake?"

A third commenter, a self-professed snake lover, weighed in and said: "I adore the cuties. I have two of my own. But they were doing construction, and it was in the way.

"Do you know how hard it is to move a 30 foot snake? Especially a wild anaconda.

"Anacondas are extremely aggressive snakes. Even in captivity, they're extremely hard to tame down and can be very bitey. A wild one, I wouldn't want to mess with at all."

 Green anacondas generally grow up to about 5m and, though not the longest snake species, are so bulky they outweigh more elongated cousins like the reticulated python.