Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just a quick question about growth rate on green anacondas.im assuming the growth rate is slower than burms and retics.since im a new conda owner ive gathering as much info as i can.ive seen a few greens @ 6 ft. and two years old.is that typical of anacondas?anyone have growth charts they could post?
my baby MALE is doing great.just had his second meal at home this morning.digesting very well.i changed the water twice yesterday.
i did get some heat tape and digital thermometer with humidity percentage.about half of the water basin is positioned over heat tape for the humidity and to warm the water.i get different readings around the tank from 80 degrees to 89 degrees and humidity stays in the low to mid seventies.except last night.the weather in michigan was steamy last night.my humidity was up to ninety percent.fluctuations like that are ok,r --ight? for the most part it stays inthe 70's.
im so glad i ended up with a hardy snake.great temper even in the cage!
the first chick i offered it was live and he pounded it.today i gave him a f/t.i couldnt beleive it! he looked up and pulled it out of my hand like a good dog taking a treat.no violence to it what so ever.
well,i could go on all day about this sweetheart.just figured i would give an update and ask a question or two.thanks alot guys
ill see what i can do about posting some pics later.

Sounds like your caging is perfect as long as you have a few hides...also anaconda like to climb sometimes. If I do not tease my green with the chick she will slowly take it from my hand as well. It was really neat watching her take chicken parts, I could lay it in my hand and she would just swim up and take it so gently. But move it like its going to run away...WHAM. I too have noticed slightly slower growth than retics as far as length (deffinitely not girth) and close to the same as burms. I wish Kelly would post exactly what his male was because I remember that being a super quick growth rate. I would not call them a very slow growing snake though..its just retics put on length so fast.

Anacondas definitely have a slower growth rate than retics or burmese. On a standard feeding schedule they are typically 5 to 6 feet at one year and 7 to 8 feet at two years. After this, male growth rate slows rapidly. Three year old males are typically around 8 feet and females around 10 feet. These are just averages and individual growth rates can vary. My 2.5 year old male is currently between 7.5 and 8.0 feet, while his sister is between 9.5 and 10 feet. Female growth slows down considerably after 4 or 5 years, although not to the point that the males do. Jud's 11.5 to 12 foot male is 14 years old and probably growing at less than an inch per year. A female that age would probably be down to 2 or 3 inches per year. Growth rate and mature adult size is ultimately dependant on genetics, food availability, and degree of environmental stress.

Kelly