Reptile & Amphibian Forums

if there r n e green anaconda enthusiast out there could u answer a question 4 me? i've got a baby green anaconda 2 1/2 ft. long and has tried feeding it mice 2 no avail, but the only thing it will eat is goldfish! i'd like 2 know @ what age should i try feeding warm blooded prey? or should i try a different approach? like offering a different type of warm blooded food item! but i don't know what 2 offer it? could someone give me some advice?

Have you tried scenting a mouse with goldfish slime?

Paul Hollander

I agree with Paul on the scenting, but do not use mice. It will work better if you use small rats and scenting them with the fish slime. Not only will many young greens refuse to eat mice and prefer rats as they move on to rodents, it will also remove the necessity of switching from mice to rats, if necessary, as the green grows.

The vast majority of young greens prefer chicks or ducklings as first prey items, and then later, at anywhere from 4 to 8 months, will typically switch over to rodent prey on their own. This process can be sped up by scenting small rats with chicks or ducklings, gradually using less scent to wean them to straight rats. The inherent preference for bird prey seen in newborn greens is the reason so many of them can be difficult to start feeding as many people try to start them on rodents from the beginning. This will work for maybe 10% of newborn greens. The other 90% will usually take birds with no problem within a month or two of birth. At that point scented rodents are usually taken with little problems.

Kelly