Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First I'd like to say "hi". It has been a very long time since I was on kingsnake. Back in 2004 I got my yellow anaconda, Nefertiti(Nefi for short). Up to this point there has been no problems with feeding, shedding, defecation and urination. The last two is still not a problem, however, the first two there may be a problem. At her size 3 XXL rats every 3 to 4 weeks feeds her well. Been feeding her this way for over a year. Before that it was 3 XL rats every 2 weeks. She has been given rats to eat twice during the past 8 weeks with her not eating them at all. She is 8 yrs old now and has been at breeding age since she was 4 yrs. She has never been bred or cycled for breeding. As for shedding my dad says she hasn't shed since July 22nd. She has always shed at least once a month. Sheds have all been whole. Now, I now live in Indiana. Nefi is in South Carolina. I couldn't bring her up here at the time. And now thanks to laws passed won't be able to. Telling this since I can not see for myself what is going on. I am relying on phone calls for information. My brother mainly cares for her with some help fro m my dad. If anyone has any advice, suggestions, etc I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Hmm. I guess those I knew on here that kept anacondas no longer come here. Oh well. I will keep searching for answers. Thanks.

Not much advise to give except stuff that isnt proper. Hearing how someone cares for an animal from a different person makes it hard to give accurate advise. I have a friend that has several green yellow and hybrid condas. Sometimes they just dont eat.

Hey Mac!!! Looks like we both popped back in at the same time. (Arik here).

Its almost impossible to diagnose whats going on with Neffi when even you yourself arent around to know exactly whats going on. Why didnt you bring her with you to IN?

Hey man. Good to hear from ya. I know it kills me not to be there to see. At the time I couldn't as I was staying with a friend of my wife. June last yr got our own place and was making preparations to bring her up before June this yr. But unforeseen circumstances that cost me my job, and before my wife graduated her RN degree, had to move in with her mom. Been here(her moms) since May. Thus costing me the chance to get Nefi here before the new laws took affect. My dad tried again to give her one rat last week. Still not wanting to eat. That sums it up. I feel helpless.

It still doesnt seem like long enough to be concerned. Watch the weight. I never worry until I start seeing weight loss. Sounds like you've been busy since we last spoke!!! lol. Im working with pituophis now. Not as "glamorous" but definitely an overlooked species. Great snakes. I was looking to get back into breeding snakes and while considering my options I kept thinking back to my childhood catching bull snakes in the fields. Figured If I loved them so much then, I would probably enjoy them now. Turns out I was right. Deppei deppei is now in my top 3 snakes. Their "personality" is awesome.

Have your dad weigh the snake. Keep offering food and keep watching the weight. You could always go with baby chicks but you dont want to get stuck on those either so I would see whats going on with the weight first.

Good luck and good seeing you on here.

Well after a long 8 to 9 months she finally ate a rat Sunday. My brother attempted to feed her one XXL rat. He dangled it in front of her as she lay in her "pool"(small shallow tote) and he said she came up out of it and snatched the rat. He checked later that evening and she was holding the rat down. Said he could see it in her stomach. This tells me there is significant weight loss. I asked him to feed her another today. If this goes well then we can try for a 3rd in a day or two. I'm not wanting to gorge or power feed her but need to get her weight back up. I am happy about this but by no means is she out of danger. Still have no clue as to why she quit eating or shall I say pinpoint the cause. Just thought I would update what was going on for those who care.