Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there:

Now I definately haven't decided yet, but in the near future I am thinking of adding a new, larger species of snake. Right now I have a very large Sonoran gopher snake, an Okeetee corn snake, a nippy Kenyan sand boa, a captive-bred rough green snake, two jumpy eastern ribbon snakes and a whole array of caecilians, salamanders and newts, and small to medium-sized tropical herps.
In the past I have caught a black rat snake longer than I am tall, countless large water snakes, and have kept garter snakes, brown snakes, a water snake and a rosy boa.
At herpetological society meetings I have worked with carpet and blood pythons and Columbian red-tailed boas.
I have always had a fascination with Anacondas. My local pet store sometimes stocks these. I dream of owning my own Anaconda. In fact I am considering purchasing one.
I do not want to keep anything dangerous, so green anacondas are out of the question. I also do not want anything too large, so I don't want a female either. I am thinking of a male yellow anaconda. I know they are excitable, I know the bites hurt, and I know how messy these can be, but I am definately up to the challenge.
I'd like to hear some opinions before saying "Mom, Dad, I want an Anaconda!"

DAVE

sounds like you are a perfect person to get into this. Sounds kind of like how I got into it. You did a little homework and you know what you are getting into. Dangerous is not a word I like to throw around a lot though. If you know what you are doing and aware the snake has the upper hand you can avoid problems before they happen. But expec to be caught off guard. With a yellow male you are right though, you wont have the huge sizes of either sex or species of anacondas available. Realize that is going to be HUGE compared to the rest of your collection and will still be longer than you are tall. And stronger than you are strong so remember there is a bit of dnager at that but at least the snake cant eat you but I had a ball python try once so doesnt rule out the chance it wants to. I love my anacondas and I have never been bitten by my yellows but they are quick.