Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just thought I'd browse through some of the Kingsnake forums that I don't usually post on and stumbled upon this forum. I didn't realize so many people kept anacondas. Always thought I'd love one (I love our green girl at our zoo where I volunteer). Just curious what size cages you guys house them in - both yellow and green. I'd love to see pics. Truely magnificent animals. Definetly on my life dream list of snakes I'd love to own.
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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly"
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

curious what and how often you feed your anacondas (both yellow and green?

Thanks for sharing!
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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly"
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

` The topic of cage size was just covered. Also, there are lots of pix posted in the last few weeks, that are still up. Scroll down.
` I feed babies at 10 day intervals. Adolescents every 3 weeks. Once they're adults, I feed my Yellow Anacondas 6 to 7 times a year.
` Which zoo are you talking about?

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Thank you. I browsed through some of the posts-just looking at those with titles that grabbed me. I looked at some more. Am i correct that a yellow only needs a 6ft long cage? Would you advise against a yellow if one does not have experience with large snakes? What do you feed your guys?

I volunteer at the Indianapolis Zoo in Indiana.
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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly"
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

` I keep adult Yellows in 5'x3'x3' cages, with climbing facilities. There are pix of my cages posted in the last few days.
` When content, Anacondas are not active snakes. In the water for a few days, then out for a few days. When they get good and hungry, they start to hunt. Mine will stargaze, in differing locations, for a couple of weeks before feeding.
` I feed only frozen rodents. It takes several hours to thaw 20 to 30 pounds of them. That's when you'll see some active Anacondas. I sometimes let one or two out during this time. It's fun to watch them hunt around the house, trying to track the smell, which is in the garage. I make damn sure I don't have any rodent scent on me! I have large Boa constrictors, also. This does not work well with them, as their feeding responses are too aggressive.
` I started keeping Yellow Anacondas because I ran across a group of newborn babies which were incredibly calm, and whose feeding response was unbelievably mellow. At that time the largest snake I had kept was a 9 foot Boa c. constrictor, which will typically weigh much less than a 9 foot female Yellow Anaconda. I got one of those babies, and was so impressed by its behavior, that I managed to get another shipment from the same breeder, and I bought several more. They are now 5 years old. In over 40 years of keeping Boids, and Colubrids ( on and off ), these are by far the most gentle snakes I've ever dealt with.
` From my experience selling Anacondas to people, I'd say that your success in keeping them will be dependent on your reasons for getting one. If you want to own the big bad killer animal, and impress people, get a Crocodile!! If you're already keeping Boids, and you have good sense, and are not suffering from testosterone poisoning, a Yellow Anaconda, the right Yellow Anaconda, shouldn't be beyond you.
` I figured that zoo was in a major city. So few have Anacondas.

` I probably post this pic too often. I do so to illustrate just how easy going these snakes can get.

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Thank you for the information and your time. I went back through most of the posts for more info and pics (a lot had broken links but was still able to see some awesome pictures).

In your opinion, would anything with less height than you provide be inadequate for a male yellow? I have room for a 5-6 foot long cage. I was looking at getting a Boaphile cage of that length, but the width is only 2 feet and the height is 18 inches. I was trying to find something to house in this size cage as I wanted to try something a bit large - then I stumbled on this forum.

My other concern is that the bottom of the cage would be at my dogs eye level (although she seems to care less about my other snakes - but they are smaller at this time). I don't want to stress out either my dog or the snake (more worried about the snake).

Again thank you for your help!

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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly"
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

` I have a couple of 18" high x 24" deep cages. They seem adequate for the Anacondas, and they are only 5 feet long. When I think about it, it seems that I may like the taller cages because it's easier for me to get head and shoulders inside to clean, and to photograph.
` If your dog shows much interest in your snake, and the snake worries about it, that could be a source of stress. Each individual is different but generally, baby Anacondas are more sensitive than adults. Their instinct tells them they are delicious! Most of my Anacondas are not bothered by my cats, or dogs. I do have one adolescent male who I sold young, then recently rescued. He was kept in awful conditions by a person whose interest in an Anaconda was to watch him kill animals, and demonstrate that to his friends. He is not aggressive toward humans, but he is violently aggressive toward warm blooded animals. My cats are used to the snakes and will approach them. When I first got him back, he struck at my cats, who are used to Anacondas and don't hesitate to get near them. He actually struck my giant Tomcat, but his fur is so thick, he didn't feel it, and didn't respond. This Anaconda was horribly overfed, so now he is a 7 foot pinhead.
` You could always masque the lower few inches of the cage door, to just above the dog's eye level. I don't think I'd worry about it, though. If it did occur, it wouldn't be an insurmountable problem.
` The main concern you should have is where you're getting the Anaconda. Mail-order is a crapshoot. Not just for health, but because there are so many really nasty snakes out there, making really nasty babies!

` Are you "0.1 Tigergenesis" ?

` Notice the Boa constrictor, he picked a warm, secure place to sleep!

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` Are you "0.1 Tigergenesis" ?
Yep, that's me!

Thanks for all your help. Seems that I definetly have the space and the issue with my dog could certainly be remedied if indeed it does become a problem.

The idea of buying snakes via mail worries me. I like the idea of being able to interact with a potential purchase and see 'if we vibe'. I will have to do some work and see if I can find some breeders in my state or neighboring states (I could always go to a reptile show in a nearby state or travel to the breeders).

I can't stand people who have a testosterone overload and get any kind of animal to exploit the often already undeserved & over exaggerated negative stereotypes attributed to their species. Glad you were able to rescue the bugger!

I will definetly give this some thought and search for potential breeders before making a decision - I know I'd love one, but want to be certain. I'm sure to be posting plenty of questions soon once my decision is made. I tend to make myself research serious purchases such as this for at least 1-2 months before even beginning to buy supplies, etc. It's my personal rule. That way I have a better idea of what I'm getting into and can be sure I feel comfortable that I can provide the best care possible.

Any recommendations on accurate/good caresheets (in addition to NERDs)?

Thanks again!

Kelly
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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly" (That's me!!!)
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

` I started out on NERD's care sheet, as that is where my Yellow Anacondas came from. It set me in the right direction.
` I often refer people who must buy by mail-order to NERD. When I got mine, NERD not only shipped healthy, non-traumatized snakes to me, but they were very picky about the shipping time. They refused to ship to me until they felt the weather conditions would not threaten the critters. I bought Anacondas from other suppliers, and breeders( they said they were breeders, but the snakes seemed wild ) some of which were sick, and some were little monsters. The babies I got from NERD were willing to accept food without striking or constricting! They were not afraid of handling, and would go to sleep in my shirt pocket, while I waited on customers!

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What size/type prey can one anticipate having to end up feeding an adult male yellow? And how many per feeding? I realize it can be different with each snake, but just trying to get a general idea.

DFR, you previously said you feed as such: "` I feed babies at 10 day intervals. Adolescents every 3 weeks. Once they're adults, I feed my Yellow Anacondas 6 to 7 times a year"

At what age are they considered adolescent and adults?

Thanks again!

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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly" (That's me!!!)
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

` They don't need large prey. My large adult males eat 3 to 6 large rats, sometimes mediums, sometimes jumbos. Depends on what I have at the time. You can give them jumbo, colossal or rabbits if you want to see them work to get it down. Personally, I don't feed oversize food. I've seen too many snakes injure themselves trying to eat something large. Also, they have much healthier, longer lives when fed sparingly. That is true for all Boids.
` I treat them as babies until they're 18 months old. Adults are 4 to 5 years. Some mature earlier than others.

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Our zoo has them now!!! Male and Female. Jacksonville zoo, I'm so excited. I volunteered there for awhile as well.

what size cages people use for male greens?
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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly" (That's me!!!)
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

My greens have thier own ROOM...but if I was gonna build them a cage, it would probably be at least 7 to 8' long, and probably bout 4 to 5' wide because they get so thick. My anacondas like to climb, so the room is cool for them because they have trees that they can climb on. and counter space to sleep on and under. Unfortunately when I move, i'm going to have to build a temp cage for these two until I can build a better room, or hopefully have two bathrooms in the house, so I can put them in one of them. I like the cages that jon uses in his store. bout 8' long, 2 1/2 to 3' wide, and about 2' high, and they fit large burms, retics just fine. fold down front door with glass fronts, screen tops, hinges on the bottom, and locks on the top and sides. Something like that would be good for housing an anaconda or large snake. I HAD a 150 gallon salt water tank for awhile, but it was hard to clean, and VERY VERY heavy.

I've seen pics of peoples snakes, but none of the cages or rooms.
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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly" (That's me!!!)
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

Here's a picture of my retic that I posted awhile back. This is his "porch" it's fully screened in, the door in the background opens up to his room. I'll take my digi cam out there tonight and take more pictures if you want

Sounds great! I love looking at pics of setups people have for their snakes.
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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly" (That's me!!!)
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

ok

Let me know if this picture shows up. I'm trying a new photo hosting service. Thanks

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I see them. Thanks! So how many (and what kind) of snakes to you have?
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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly" (That's me!!!)
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

` I try to keep just Boa constrictor ssp. and the Anacondas, nowadays. I try real hard to keep it under a dozen. That is hard to do as I'm constantly having folks wanting me to rescue a snake, or snakesit for them. I ended up snakesitting a Green Anaconda from the time he was 30", until he was 8 feet. I also have one fat old and grizzled Ball Python who nobody wanted. He thinks he's an Anaconda, and lives with my males.

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Love the pic! So how much do you charge by the hour?
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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly" (That's me!!!)
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

Both in lenght and weight. I've only seen one green and that's our girl at the zoo.
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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly" (That's me!!!)
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

` Yeah right, I rarely recover the cost of the food. Too many people ask you to keep their snake, and are never heard from again. That's how I got the Ball Python. He is nothing but a tubular stomach, covered in scales, but I've grown fond of him. He's not afraid of anything, except humans.

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it shows up

>>it shows up

Thank you.
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Oh well - have to wait till I hit the lottery and can get a bigger house I guess! I'd love a male green, but the largest cage I have room for would be 4-6ft long and 2 feet deep. I'll add that to my list of dream snakes I'd like to own.

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0.1 Tigergenesis "Kelly" (That's me!!!)
1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"