Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello to all,

I just encountered a problem with my 8 months old green anaconda. I think its either mouth rot, or respiratory problems. The snake is forming bubbles around its mouth and won't eat. I didnt open it's mouth yet to look into it, but seems like its black around the lip outlines. I am an idiot for not raising nor checking its temperature lately even though the weather got much cooler around here. Just checked the temperature now and got 87 F at the hot spot. What do you guys recommend this is and how shall i fix it? besides raising the temp of course.

PS: IS this a common problem and how dangerous is is to anacondas?

87 F in the hot area is MORE than enough. These snakes spend a fair amount of time in MUCH cooler temps than this and if you go much higher the snake will be less likely to use it.

Try and optimize your ambient temps somewhere around 80 F. Mid to high 70s is a great lower area for the animal.

The bubles are not necessarily RI and I have noticed anacondas have reactions to any kind of scents from synthetic lotions and perfumes. Try and be sure you are not exposing them to this. I cannot say why this occurs, or why I have seen it more in anacondas...but it is something I am very careful of.

It is honestly quite difficult to give an anaconda an RI with cool temps. Dry conditions are more likely to be the cause.

When I say dry, I certainly do not mean the floor. Keeping the floor free of dampness is crucual, especially in greens.

This sounds like a respiratory infection...I would reccomend a vet visit, as these infections can kill quickly and only mild cases will respond to higher temps...But for the future, is the water in the waterdish heated? I have worked with a yellow anaconda in the past and now own a 27" green. Being almost entirely aquatic, this is one of the few species that will choose water over warmth, even if the water is below 70F anacondas will remain there, ignoring the warm spots. I keep a red light bulb over my waterbowl, and never let the water temp go below 80f. Don't guess, use a small digital aquarium thermometer with an external probe to be sure. The bowl must be immediately disinfected and refilled when the snake pees/poops in it, as the bacteria love the heat as much as the snake! Anacondas come from tropical environments, they probably don't realise the cold water is killing them, they don't know any better because their species doesn't experience cold water in the wild.