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Need some help before getting a yellow...

echo0330 Sep 03, 2003 01:06 PM

Hey-

Im thinking about adding a yellow anaconda to my collection and i just have a few questions...

First do you have any suggestions as to where to get on from, and how much the go for?

Second how fast are they (slither wise)?

Ive heard a few diffrent things about feeding scheduals.. from one time a week to once evry 5 weeks. do younger anacondas need to eat more often? whats the story?

and finally i have kept snakes (ball python, spotted python, savu python, rainbow boa, and a few kings) so i pretty much know what to expect, but is there anything i should look out for?

Any help you can give me would be great

-echo-

Replies (3)

tcdrover Sep 03, 2003 02:45 PM

I'd suggest picking one out in person. They go for anywhere
between $100-$150. They're pretty common right now I see them everywhere, at all the shows lately.

As far as their slither speed goes, its funny that you ask
that. The one I have is pretty slow moving and very docile, but
the first time I put her back in her cage she really hauled
@ss. I don't remember seeing a boa move that fast. She's never
done it again.

I only feed her every 7-10 days. I got her as a small neonate,
but she's really growing fast, much faster than any other boas
or pythons that I've ever had. How do you like your Savu? I almost got one the other day.

Thanks,
tc

dfr Sep 03, 2003 03:35 PM

` I got my babies from NERD [New England Reptile Dist.], almost six years ago. The sent me healthy and CALM babies. They were easy to deal with because they were not stressed. Their behavior as babies was so easy going, it was hard to believe. NERD even refused to ship to me, until they felt the weather was right. Mine have grown into very gentle and calm adults. Lots of pix of their behavior, earlier in this forum. I know of lots of sellers with traumatized, wild-caught, nasty, and unhealthy, little babies for sale, advertised as otherwise. If picking one out in person, I would want several days to observe it, before committing. There may be other reputable breeders than NERD. They're the only one I know enough to trust.
` They're all individuals, and behave differently. They are much stronger than the other Boids. So, if they want to, they can really move. When they decide to hold on and stay someplace, you might persuade them, but you won't force them. I have worn some of mine for quite a while, when they decided they wanted to stay put.
` As neonates, I fed mine once a week. As they grew I slowly increased the interval. Now, as adults, I feed them at 3 to 6 week intervals. They let me know when they are hungry. With babies, or adults, I let them digest and eliminate, before more food is offered. As adults, their digestive system needs to atrophy, between feedings. When I feed them, I feed them as much as it takes to satisfy them. I do not feed oversize food items. I NEVER feed live food. I think feeding pre-killed makes them better pets.
` If you get the right animals, to begin with, and you give them the right husbandry and attention, they are a pleasure to keep. The behavior of an apex predator, in captivity, can be fascinating. They are just laid-back, not afraid of, or bothered by, anything. Their environmental needs are different from many other Boids, however.
` Look out for this: Even though Yellows are not the giants that Greens are, they are still big STRONG constrictors. A pissy baby can turn into a dangerous adult. I have managed to calm about 50% of the aggressive adults brought to me ( most of them were stressed beyond belief ). The others are behind-the-glass, hook and tong, critters. The first few months of their life can determine their behavior, permanently.
` There are a bunch of posts and pictures earlier in this forum about husbandry. It would be worth your time to go over them. Any specific questions, ask away.
-----

mlpetros Sep 11, 2003 10:48 AM

I`ve produced several hundred yellow anacondas over the past 7 years.As babies they tend to be nippy though not overly quirmy.They are more apt to bite initially and then settle down if you were holding them.I feed my babies once a week, the older bigger animals every 2 weeks.Adult yellow anacondas generally go off food for several months during the winter breeding season.If you have any other questions about Yellow anacondas feel free to e-mail me at mlpserpent@hotmail.com Mark Petros/Strictly Serpents

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