Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Everyone,

My names Ron, I'm 18 years old and live in Rocklin, CA USA. I'm getting ready to purchase my first Green Anaconda from Kelly Haller who Arik says is the best in the business (the clutch of 2nd generation captive bread greens). I've gone back and read quite a few past posts and was just wondering if there are any tips you have for me? I think I want a female only because I have a fascination with the biggest snakes. I curreently own a female burmese (Hera), and two Colombian Red Tail's approaching breeding age (Hades & Persephone). I am going to be housing the new conda in a 72" x 24" x 24" enclosure as an adult (I think*). I also have a 36" x 15" x 15" ready for it as a baby. The small tank is currently set up as a sort of a vivarium with cool plants and water and all those sort of things. Arik said to ditch all of it and lay down some newspaper. Anyone else has a vivarium style setup with a conda? If so how's it working out? Anycase I'll wrap it up here, and thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

Ronald K. Ellis III

See I told you if you posted in this forum I would respond to your post tonight. lol
I am excited to see another newcomer to the world of anacondas. You are already off on a good start with your choice of breeder. Trust me it will save you so much work that you will never probably know.
If you are really thinking of a female then you need a lot bigger cage. 4x4x8' would be my recomendation. The cage you have now however would probably work for most male greens. Consider that before buying. A male you wont need another cage. A female you will. The female will do fine in that cage for a few years but not her whole life. So then you're looking at some more money spent on another cage. Most general people are going to be impressed by a 13 or 14' male even if it isn't a huge female. If thats your motivation.
As I said, and you mentioned in your post, a vivarium with dirt and plants wont do good for the conda you're planning on getting. The first worry I have would be all the bacteria trapped in the soil after the snake defecates a few times. I completely understand why people like vivariums but an anaconda is not suitable for one. For that matter very few snakes are.I would highly consider going out and getting a $10 10 gallon aquarium to start the snake in. Plus another $10 for a screen top. I place a very large book on the screen top of my males cage for security and the fact it partially covers the top to hold in more humidity. The 10 gallon is smaller and the snake will not be intimidated by a larger cage. This will help you a lot in getting it acclimated after you get it. It wont be in the 10 gallon long though so it would just be used to get it started for you. When you're done with it you have another tank to use for whatever though.
Keep browsing through the past posts here and you will be able to answer most of your questions on your own. If you have one and dont find an answer there then just ask and I'm sure the people here will get you the answers.
Anyways welcome to the conda forum.

Arik

Well come to anacondas!!! yah I am going to have to agree with arik about the vivarium. an anaconda would do better on news paper I use lizard liner. Good luck with your conda and well come to the forum.

CrazyCody

I made a really interesting setup with my green with a waterfall, fogger, and all sorts of FAKE plants and I must say it looked great. But I kept this all sterile things...only one live plant. I ditched that stuff though when I moved and the snake doesnt know the difference (she still has her beach ball). Keep it clean..I use carpet since it looks nicer than news paper. As long as you replace it when the snake makes a single mess on it, you are good. Newspaper is a cheaper way though (but I have said before, Im rich lol). Neither cage you mentioned is an adult female cage. 8x4x4 would be better and understand that is small for a 17 ft snake. You are 18? I hope you are not going to college. Female greens are also super heavy as adults, I hope your friends like them too because by the time you can go to the bar your snake will be pretty big. Anacondas are a pain, I know everyone here is going to talk them up and tell you all the good but i hope you considered all the bad. Their crap is the worst smelling of all, they do it more than any python I have had...yet take longer to metabolize a meal so its like they just keep pooping. On the good side they are a pretty hearty snake though...while your burmese will be up and down with URIs the anaconda runs steady once you get it going and you have to run over the box you shipped them in to kill the things. 10 gallon...dont waste your time (I dont know why you are doing that Arik, I have never had a snake upset with too much space...I think that is something people made up to feel better about housing snakes in a small cage and not wanting the trouble of keeping good conditions and cleaning a big cage). 3ft in a 10 gallon tank and the snake will almost double that if fed well in the first year. Good luck with your anaconda...I hope you love these things like the rest of us here...it sets off a collection but you have to really enjoy it being there or you are going to want to trade it in for an easier giant (like a retic).

Hi Again,

Ok so I ithnk I'm set on gettin a male purely based on the size thing. I'm just not sure I can deal with a 400lbs. 20ft. snake. Sometimes I can foresee my own limits and 14ft. will about do it for me. The 72"x24"x24" will house an adult male probably right? I don't want him to be cramped. I hope kelly gets back to me today so I can get him here soon . With my burmese she was really skitish when I got her so I gave her a week or so in the new house without going near her. Is this basically what I should do with the conda? Anycase, thanks a bunch for the info.

Ronald K. Ellis III

Cage size would be good for a male. It might take several weeks(4-6) before your snake will start eating, so just give him time. Dont handle him at all till he starts to eat. After shipment they are very scared and NEED time to settle down so if you have a room to put him into so he get little to no interutions that would be best. And once he eats you will have the most gentle snake you have ever seen.
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GOD,I LOVE ANACONDAS!!!!! Eric aka Mr.A

I stand by my recomendation. I would not place a neonate female green anaconda in a 4 x 4 x 8' cage and expect it to feel secure. Same with a male in a 2 x 2 x 6'. I use a 10 gal. for about 3 to 4 months to let them feel walls next to them which I have found greatly reduces stress. Afterwards after the snake gets used to a feeding schedule, cage cleaning, and handling I move them into a more appropriate cage. This has worked for me many times and because of that I dont feel it's a "made up" theory.

I agree with all mr. anacondas comments (pretty bold to guarantee a calm anaconda but I believe they will be). I understand your theory Arik and I have heard it many of times...I feel a 10 gallon is too small for a green anaconda (average birth length is 2.5 feet, males and females the same). The smallest enclosure I can recomend for a neonate green is a 20 long. I think you will be fine starting with the cage you said you had...but thats just my opinion. I have kept a lot of snakes and currently keep too many to maintain a life and I have NEVER seen any problems with larger cages with feeding...in fact the only snake I ever really have problems with is my green and thats just a food preferance. The other snakes that behave differently that super agressive and dont care whats going on is one ball python and one amazon tree boa...both these snakes (as well as my green) behave funny when there is disturbance in the room and the anaconda (in a "too big" cage) will leave meals she has wrapped if disturbed too much, the ball python will work it out of its mouth to a point, and the tree boa will hold it in her throat until people leave so she is sure they will not touch her. The only behavior difference that I have seen that is related to cage SIZE is restraint in movement when too small. If your snake is a problem feeder (which I doubt if you get it from Kelly) by all means try everything you think may work (I did and cage size made no difference in any problem animal I have had) but I think you will be fine with your cage (you said is was smaller than the cage you planned on as an adult correct?) good luck

I went back and double checked to make sure I was correct in my original thinking that the beginning cage size was not rediculous and 36x15x15 can never be by any means "too big" for any size green anaconda. That is roughly what I have my baby yellows in (small enough both could be eaten in one meal by a day old green, and they were falls babies) and I must say they are the most agressive feeders i have (I was going to post about it in my own thread but here seems ok). they pretty much dart across the cage for a a ft mouse (2 fuzzies for now). I in no way intend on this example being proof to my opinion but it is a little support. Good luck : )

Ya, I think that cage will work out fine. So I went ahead and decided on the female . I am drawing up plans for a 12'x8'x4' cage. A local place called TAP Plastics sells Lexan (polycarbonate) sheets. I'm gonna make the cage out of those. I'm planning on 1/3 to 1/2 being water with a waterfall and a circulatory system. I also went ahead and ordered a misting system called the RAINMAKER JR.. I'm not gonna plant anything I don't think because my red tails destroyed everything I planted in their house, bastards j/k. I'll photograph the construction, and scan some of my sketches once I get a chance. I might start a new topic about building an enclosure. It's gonna be a fun engineering project. It'll take up most of my spare bedroom in the new house. Eck, I don't wanna think about moving. Well my new conda arrives tuesday, and I'm gonan name her Medusa. I'll keep you guys updated, and thanks for all fo the advice. It's greatly appreciated.

Ronald K. Ellis III

I think the problem with larger cages is that even with a hide box and a water bowl there is to much open space, thus the snake may feel exposed when moving from one necessity to another.
I prefer to "enclose" a larger enclosure with more hiding places and silk plants ect to eliminate this space. I am a fan of naturalistic enclosures but agree this is impractical for a baby anaconda.
A bit more work, the extra cage furniture does negate the need for a useless and cramped 10gallon.

Every one has an opinion but my male is in no way cramped. He will be moved to a larger enclosure in the next month or two.
Arik

You're right, my opinion... nice look'n snake!

I completely agree with eunectes4. I have many big snakes including African Rocks, many retic's, an Amethystine, and of course two anaconda's (0.1 green and 0.1 yellow). Of all of these snakes the anaconda's are the highest maintenance. Once fed you can expect urates everyday for more than a week and poop that you'll smell the second you walk into your home. Although they are not fast growing snakes when compared to a retic, they do get big fairly quickly. My female green is 4.5 years old and is over 12 feet and around 100 lbs. She eats 8 to 10 lb rabbits at 4 to 6 week intervals and is an aggressive feeder, although very tame otherwise. She is housed in a 96" Neodesha with a large heated pond (optional, according to Kelly as long as they are raised without one from the start)that is changed and disinfected twice per week when she isn't urating or pooping and everyday when she is. Substrate is newspaper, with all heat on thermostats. In reality she is too big for this enclosure and I am going to be building her a new one with the dimensions of 10' X 5' later this fall, with a larger heated pond as well. Yup, they are darn expensive to house.
Like eunectes4 stated, think long and hard about your purchase as these snakes need more dedication then most of the other big boids, which need more dedication then most are willing to put in. At 18 you can expect many changes in your life over the next decade or so, including, I hope, college. I always wanted an anaconda and retic's but held off until I finished my graduate degree, had a secure job, and had my own home before I purchased any of the big one's. Now I am building a separate 650 square foot building to house my snakes in and this is another mega expense. The point I am making is these animals require a major commitment of time, money, and expertise, as well as an understanding spouse or significant other, all of which are hard to come by at 18 years of age. Again, please think long and hard about this species and what your long term (20 to 30 years) plans are.
Best Regards,
Shane Provstgaard

I'm sorry you look at the upkeep of you'r snake's habitat, and you'r snake as an inconvenience. Perhaps you should sell them if this is such an obstruction to your daily life. I have two wonderfull Colombian Red Tails and a female Burmese Python. I can honestly say the upkeep doesn't bug me at all. I enjoy looking after them and having them around. They make excellent friends , but hey to each his own. It just bothers me when people look at their snakes as a curse and not a blessing like they should. However much time I spend on upkeep for them is made up for a thousand times over just by getting to have them around. I don't mean to insult you as you mentioned you have a BUNCH of snakes and you are much OLDER than I am. Far be it for me to criticize you.

As for my life. It's absolutely none of your business what I choose to do or how I choose to do it. I'm moving into my own house next month, and preparing an enclosure for my incoming anaconda right now.

Maybe in the future you should get a better disposition and offer something helpfull instead of trying to talk someone out of buying a snake without even knowing them. I don't even know you, and you alkready piss me off so I'm gonna end this post here.

You give it to 'em eh...lol, although with what's been said I have to vouch for both sides.
With the internet it is of course impossible to "know" everyone we are conversing with, yet it is always nice to have people to remind you of the negatives and the "big picture". So the college comment may have been a bit much but the intention of getting you to look at a long term commitment were said in the best interests of the snake. With your research I'm sure you have come across the notion of many large boids being abandoned at shelters for their large size and extra care ect.
Lets take everything with a grain of shalt shall we, and just enjoy our herps

I know joey, you're right. I ought not to get so bitter over something with good intentions. It just makes me mad when people say things like that.

Trying to stay cool ,
Ronald K. Ellis III

Don't know where you got the idea that I look at my snakes as a burden. They are actually one of the major joy's in my life. I put more money and time into my snakes then most, and have been keeping reptiles for more then 20 years, so I must like them! Maybe read the post in focus next time and you'll see that I was only letting you know there is a bigger commitment with something like an anaconda then a Columbian boa. Being older then you also is not an issue, but maturity is. Just wanted to make a point that 18, while plenty old, is still relatively young in terms of stability in life, which can make the commitment to a large snake like an anaconda more difficult. My post was done with the snakes best interest in mind as well as yours, with the intentions of just hoping you would pause one more time and think it completely through before buying your anaconda. You obviously do not want to hear it however, and know exactly where you are going life so just ignore my previous post and best of luck with your anaconda.
Shane

Hi,
Just want to give you a heads up on Anacondas.I currently have 2.A Green Male and a Green-Yellow Hybrid male.Just a quick tip to throw at you.Make sure that the baby you are going to purchase is eating mammals.Preferrebly rats or better yet F/T.If possible make sure you can get proof of this as well or a good guarantee to insure this.It doesn't matter if the anaconda is a 2nd gen or a captive born,baby greens are all the same as far a feeding response goes.2nd gen are just alot more attractive as color goes.They are very fussy at first,but if you are committed to spend alot of time with the animal you will be able to overcome this.That is why it is so important to get the proof of it feeding first.Whatever you do, don't get one that is feeding on chicks or other birds.You will have nothing but problems.Everyone thinks that anacondas are voracious feeders and eat anything you give them.That is so untrue.When they are babies they may eat like crazy,this is so more with the yellows than greens,but when they reach a certain length and age they will stop feeding like this and they will start to shut down on you for 2-3 months at times.Both mine do that.This is perfectly normal when they do this.It is just the nature of the snake.It just is a pain if you don't know when they will eat,because of the frustration of having food for them on hand.I usually offer mine food every 2 weeks during this cycle,untill they start up again.Luckily mine eat f/t.Also another tip as far as housing them together if you decide to get another.They will do fine when they are babies,but when they get around 2-3'and over a year old you will start to have problems.They will begin to stop feeding and come up with respitory problems(due to being stressed out) and musk up the enclousure.All of mine did this untill I separated them.Then they went back to normal.You should usually have a big water dish in there cage and be prepared to clean it daily when you feed them.Some guys don't like to put large water bowls big enough for the snake to soak its entire body in there cage.I totally dis agree with this.Remember this is a large WATER boa not a corn snake.It needs water to feel natural.The cage you are thinking of putting the snake in should be roomy enough.Anacondas don't grow as fast as burms or retics.Another misunderstood plot.There are few exceptions to this though.If you were lucky enough to get a snake that power feeds everytime.On the most part you won't.Just make sure you stay above 50%with humidity and keep the cage around 82-85 degrees ambient temp and around high 80's to low 90's in the basking spot.Adding a hide box won't hurt also.If you think Anacondas are just like a burm or a retic you will be in for a big surprise.There temperment is very unpredictable as well.You may have purchased a puppy dog tame snake at first and find out later in time it becomes a monster to manage.Hope you find this info useful.It is from my own personal experience with them as a collector not someone trying to sell them.Good luck on your experience.

2nd gen. c.b.b. are not just better in color. As a matter of fact I've never even heard about better color in them. They ARE far better animals as far as temperment. You cant be saying that you think a wild caught neonate is going to be the same as a 2nd gen captive bred.
Approaching 90F is too hot for my condas. They would never go there.
Large water tubs are not necessary for condas. They will spend a lot of time in them but it is not required for a healthy animal.
Arik

Arik,
Sorry for getting you all riled up.I did not in any way want to nock anybody.I responded to this person only to inform on my own personal experiences with condas.I never said that WILD caught condas(which should be left in the wild) are the same as a 2nd gen.I was referring to captive born conda's not wild caught.You would have to be a fool to beleive that a wild caught is equal.I have cabtive born and bred condas of my own produced by Dwight Cameron in Florida and they start out nice,but when they get older and heavier they get fiesty and they do bite,even with frequent handling.They are very unpredictable and should be handled and viewed very cautiousley.I talked about the large water bowl as being a requirement in my opinion.I think this is necessary, because they are WATER BOAS.It may not be neccessary,but I like to have my animals feel as natural as possible.I would get even bigger water holes if I had the space.My Condas do go to the hot spot of 90degrees from time to time.You are so very true that they don't spend alot of time there,but they have it offered to them if neccessary.This is only the hot spot not the ambient temp. which I keep in the low 80's.I have no doubt about your expertise about condas and your ability to produce some beutiful animals as well as being able to let us enjoy these most beutiful animals.My knowledge about condas is purely on my own personal experiences with condas and what the snake seems to like not what should be done, because it seems right to us.Any one viewing this info please keep my statements in mind,but it dosen't mean my info is the best advice,but it is what works for me.I should have stated this in my first response and deeply appologize to any one who thinks negatively.

I am sorry I did not mean to come off like I was riled up. I read my post again and see how someone could think that. Sorry again.
My condas seem to like 82F must of the time and I didnt mean to imply that 90f was harmful, but for mine it would just make part of the cage a place that they would not go very often.
I know it seems like Kelly is the only one recomended in here but, after having gotten one, I can say there is a huge difference in temperment between his and other neonate condas I have seen.
Post some pics of yours.

Arik

Hi there:

If you want to buy a beautiful Anaconda ( I LOVE greens) that's awesome. I think greens make great pets if you have the right space, but if you still want an Anaconda and are concerned about a small amount of space, try looking into a yellow...