Adult male greens in the wild tend to run between 7 to 9 feet, and rarely over 35 lbs. I have noticed that with the better diets in captivity, adult male greens tend to run 8 to 10 feet, with some individuals getting up to 11 feet and in the 50 pound range.



Dirksen says he has measured about 100 males in the wild with the largest being about 10 feet. The largest field study was conducted in Venezuela and was undertaken by Rivas. He collected several hundred males over a seven year period. He found that the average adult male green in his study area was between 7.5 and 9 feet. The largest male captured during the study period was 11 feet, 2 inches and weighed about 40 pounds. It must also be noted that these were all from the Llanos habitat of Venezuela and from the northern, or Orinoco basin population. There is some reason to believe that individuals from this population and habitat are slightly smaller than those from the southern, Amazon basin population and riverine habitats. Large Amazon basin males have reportedly been seen in the wild in the 12 foot range. There are several people that claim to have seen or own males well over 13 feet, but solid evidence as never been provided. I am personally not aware of any male green, captive or wild caught, that has actually been accurately taped at over 13 feet.



The outstanding male that Jud McClanahan owns that has been used for most of our successful breedings, is a classic example of a mature, large adult male green, and is the largest male green that I am aware of anyplace in captivity. This male is almost 19 years old and is right at about 13 feet, and 70 to 80 pounds. He has not been overfed and is solid, but not overweight. There is no way to prove it, but going by his head coloration, I would guess that one or both of his parents were of Amazon basin origins. I currently have one of his sons that is 8 years old and about 11 feet. He also has never been powerfed, but has been fed consistently. At this age and above, males are growing at an extremely slow rate, an inch or two a year at most. Hopefully this answered a few of your question.



Kelly

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