Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Some friends of mine own a local pet store here in Indy and have a 5 to 6 ft yellow anaconda that wont eat. It will kill the rats all day long but wont eat them. Anybody got any suggestions on what to do? They are getting worried cause it hasnt ate in 5 or 6 weeks. Please help me out so I can help them out.

Thanks
Brandon

As long as the snake has good weight on it, five or six weeks without food won't hurt it. Healthy anacondas can go without food for long periods of time. This time of year is breeding season for yellows and they can go off food for quite a while, especially if it's a male. The 5 to 6 foot range is approaching mature breeding size and that may be the cause. I have examples of both sexes off feed right now. Double check for proper temps and humdity and continue to offer it food (once every 7-10 days) and eventually it will take the food. Remember offering pre-killed prey is always better then live.

He could be too nervous in a pet store atmosphere to complete the feeding process. Anacondas are shy, and while they may kill an animal, some can be hesitant about actually feeding when confronted with even the slightest disturbance. Try placing a fresh killed rat in the cage right when the store closes and leave in over night.

Kelly

Thanks for the info. Ill pass it on to them and let them know what you guys have said. Hopefully something works.

My 9 foot male yellow anaconda only at 6 weeks this past spring and won`t again til April. Don`t bother offering food til after its next shed.
Mike

-

Kelly, in late October my female will start refusing rabbits and only take rats, by late Nov her appetite dwindles and I am lucky if she will take one rat in early December. This is when I introduce the male and leave them together till she ovulates in late Jan. sometimes she will eat one or two meals then and fast til she gives birth.
Mike

Thanks Mike, I have not seen this in general with adult green females. However, due to the more southern range of the yellows, and their greater affinity for water, they most likely experience cooler temps on average than greens in their natural habitat over the winter months. This could naturally make them more likely to go off feed than some of the greens. Not sure if this actually accounts for it, but just a possibility.

Kelly