Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I posted another question regarding my two macklot pythons, but this is a different question about my two breeder anacondas.

They are about 3 feet right now. I have a couple questions:

1) Can I look for spurs to tell the female from the male; or do I have to have them probed?

2) How big do they need to be before they can mate.

I have them in a nice sized aquarium with heat over a cardboard box, and a big dish for them to soak in.

Thanks,

Michael

i am not trying to be mean in any way...you may have just not given us much info or...
it sounds like you need to do more research, do you have the right temps? humidity? the amt of space for these snakes. you cant just get a boy and a girl and throw them in a tank and get babies/eggs. this is for the anacondas and the pythons in your other post.
are you in this because you love the animals and want to see them continue on as good examples in the pet trade, or just for the $? as a former breeder (and still one for the right parents) but mostly into rescue i worry about someone just trying to pump out large snakes for the $.
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

Consider po's advice too; I realize you have kept reptiles for a while, but you are coming across as somewhat novice in your posts.

In the meantime, seperate the snakes to prevent adolescent matings. Outward sexual characteristics arn't always revealing as there is always some overlap between the sexes. Probing is the most reliable way to sex your snakes.

Check out the anaconda forums. There is a certain expert there that only occasionally visits these forums

Ian

Okay, I will separate them and build a new cage. Didn't know they would mate before they were ready.

And yes, I am at a very novice level, and I want to be an expert, and someday pro at this. I've handled snakes since I was about 12, but handling is not as involved as breeding so I would say I'm about a 1 out of 10 right now.

I'll check out the other forums right away Ian.

Thanks,

MS

Wow...thank you so much...I scrolled down and discovered a LOT more than I saw last time hehe.

I'm reading up now...thanks again

MS

Actually, you're right that I need to do more research, are there any sites that are good to find out detailed info like humidity and temps, and more on breeding? I would like to start reading on that asap.

I love reptiles, I have red and green iguanas, a savannah monitor, and I would love to see one of my pairs have off spring. To be honest, the money isn't that good when you factor in food and time; I mostly do it because I love taking care of them.

I rescue some snakes too, you can get those cheap on craigs list off people who don't have the time to take care of them.

I have about 20 breeder rat pairs, a watering system using a 20 gallon container and watering valves the rats bite/lick for food. My snakes are fat and spoiled when it comes to that.

But yes, humbly I admit I need to know a lot more when it comes to breeding the snakes. I hope I can pick up some good info on here that I can use for my snakes.

I eventually want to breed kings and milks also.

Thanks,

MS

Well, I'm not the best at listing off websites but the other forums here on kingsnake are an excellent place to just learn by osmosis. Just hang out in the forums you enjoy (I'm guessing the iguana, python and kingsnake forums perhaps). Participate some, get to know others, but mostly, just read. YOu'll notice some questions are asked over and over by different beginners. You'll soon become an expert at the basics.

Another source that is never to be underestimated is books. They are by no means outdated with the arrival of the internet. I have a growing collection from everything of the simple Barron's Care Books, to medical texts and field guides. I've read them all, and refer to them often.

If you have a local herp club; join! My growth as a herpetological hobbyist sped by light years when I joined the Edmonton Reptile and Amphibian Society many years ago.

Lastly, just take your time. You can do all the above and it will still take a long while before you are where you want to be. Be patient, humble, and appreciative of the folks who've already walked your steps, and you will go a looong way.

Good luck, and keep us updated. Perhaps show some pic's of your snakes in there new cages. I've always liked the yellow anacondas, and of course the macks'

Ian

Okay, I think there is a local herp club in Orlando, FL. I'll see if I can join them this year.

I have been in the other forums tonight and last night, and you're right there are a lot of answers to my questions.

Thanks for the info, I'll post some pictures soon of the new setup.

Thanks,

MS

Anacondas can be probe sexed, but they can also be sexed accurately by their spurs as well. In the top photo, I am showing the spurs on a female green anaconda. As you can see, they are small, short, and conical shaped. They are also recessed into a cavity as can be seen in the middle photo. In mature females, the spur can not usually be seen unless the scales are pushed aside as in the top photo. In younger anacondas like the ones you have, the female spur should be only showing the tip or the top half if not manually exposed. The male spur is completely external and readily observed as can be seen in the bottom photo. It is longer and more claw shaped than the females spur, and has an elongated base or appendage to which it is attached.

Yellow females will need to be at least 4 years of age before breeding, and that is with a fair size to them. Males will typically be ready to breed at 3 years, provided they have decent size to them as well. Good luck,

Kelly

Okay, thank you Kelly for that good tip on sexing anacondas. I didn't know that.

After I read the post and saw the pictures you attached, I took both my yellows and looked.

I think I have two females...I saw no spurs on either and did not try to push back.

Could it be the one is actually a male (the dealer said it was a male) and is not old enough to show the spurs yet? He is only about 2 feet at the most. The supposed female is bigger, I've had her about 6 months longer.

I just fed them two rat pups, that is how small they are.

Thanks,

MS

It is possible that you could have missed the spurs if the male is that small. It is difficult to spur sex really young anacondas unless you have had some practice, and it does take a magnifying device to really get a good look on ones as small as this male. Usually by 4 feet or so the difference is fairly obvious. Probing can be somewhat difficult on small anacondas as well, unless you have done a few. You might try magnifying the spur or waiting until they are a little larger.

Kelly