Thinking about switching to a baby green anaconda...

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Originally Posted by ArabianOak

1. I'm assuming the baby green anaconda will grow much much faster than the baby ball...how much faster?

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Too many factors and, all things equal, not all snakes grow at the same rate and reach the same adult size. Without power feeding, you're probably looking at anywhere from 3-4 feet of growth per year.

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Originally Posted by ArabianOak

2. I'm assuming the baby green anaconda will be a little bit more active and feisty than the baby ball...do they move around more, are they much more feisty in general? How would someone compare from owning both?

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Not more active, probably even less active, but as a general rule they are more on the feisty side. If ball pythons are pet rocks, anacondas are just pet rocks that make you lose more blood when they get the hankering. One of my favorite hang out snakes were the anacondas because they'd simply sit for hours on end without feeling the need to move or explore. My royals are flitting hummingbirds in comparison.

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Originally Posted by ArabianOak

3. Being a snake that swims and lives in a more humid climate, I am assuming I will need a small water area for the snake to swim when needed...I have also read I need to get a higher humidity for the green anaconda and slightly hotter temps...any thoughts on this?

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Unless you're going to take the time to completely change out the water daily, your better off going with a dry cage and small water dish. If you use a dish large enough to soak your anaconda will almost always relieve itself in the water. It's simply not healthy for them to soak/drink their own sewage. They're also prone to water blisters, probably from dirty water, so there's another point for a dry enclosure.

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Originally Posted by ArabianOak

Anything else I need to know...is this a good idea/bad idea etc...Again, not trying to disrespect the baby ball, just want something with a little bit more character and action...

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Keep in mind that it's infinitely harder to find homes for large, aggressive snakes than most smaller species. They take up plenty of space and time. Many rescues are already full to the point that they have to refuse larger constrictors. Are you prepared to maintain this animal with the care and dedication it deserves even if you decide down the road that it's not your cup of tea anymore? There's the very real possibility that you will not find someone willing to take it off your hands.

That said, I'm a fan of Eunectes and have kept both a yellow and green in the past. The yellow was produced by a pair of established imports while the green was, if memory serves, second generation captive bred. My advice, if after weighing all things carefully you still decide to go forward with an anaconda, is to find at least a second generation animal. You'll have a much better chance at a calmer adult. Oh yeah, on a scale of 1-10, their musk ranks an 11 in the skunky category. I hope you like stinky hands because it almost feels like an involuntary reaction with these. Even on good days, which were often enough, I would usually get musked while handling.
:gj:

So you're bored with your new pet after a few weeks. I suggest you not get any new snakes at all.

I have been wanting either a Retic, Burm, or Anaconda for years. In fact, I'm struggling right now with the urge to get one. I'm often weighing the excellent points that have been made here.

Before someone runs, they must creep first, then crawl, and then walk. That's why I got a Boa after the BP, and then Carpet Pythons.

If you want big and active, Coastal Carpets are a good choice. Not as big as the Giants, but they keep you on your toes. All of mine are sweethearts too. Lizzy is between 7-8 ft and and fun to handle, but constant motion.

If you get an Anaconda now, you are not being fair to the snake or yourself.


Punch, 7 foot BCI Boa. The large part of his girth is about the size of half gallon of milk. He is heavy and VERY active when out of the enclosure.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...0e4fbfccdc.jpg


Look to the left at the mirror. You can't see my neck.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...a829adbb15.jpg


Lizzy the Coastal. Her girth is about the size of a quart of milk. She is EXTREMELY active when out.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...4b2495627f.jpg

thanks for all the advice gang...I went ahead and went to the show today.

as one of you mentioned I walked around and just took a good look at all the snakes available. I asked several different vendors about anaconda's and EVERY single one said they didn't sell them because not many people want them AND they are not a snake for a beginner snake keeper.

I left the show without making any moves and will stick with the ball for now. I feel really good about the decision and truly appreciate everyone's advice.


I saw lots of really cool snakes today too!

That's great!

Good to know, thanks!

It's not a bad idea per say but you need to be fully prepared and know everything beforehand. A ball python is a small little rock that generally doesn't have an attitude. An anaconda will grow big as in around 15' big and unless you work with it a lot, it can get a heck of an attitude. Not all are mean but I would definitely hold the animal before I purchased to gauge its temperament. Getting bit by a 10'+ snake will not be fun.If you are looking for an "active" snake, I would look more into something like a colubrid like a corn snake or maybe a hog nosed snake. They are more active and stay a lot smaller. An anaconda is not going to be a super active snakes either.

And I agree, BPs are rocks with eyes. Both of my boas are much more into "being held" than my BP. My advice if you have not kept large snakes is go with a boa. BCI generally have very mellow temperments and if you want a large snake, get a female. They grow about 8' or larger. Both my girls are like puppy dogs and love to go riding around my shoulders or sitting on the couch or bed with me for a movie.Also remember that depending where you live and how the Lacey Act plays out, you might not be able to transport your anaconda across state lines if you have to move. Boas aren't on that list...yet.

Bottom line there is nothing wrong owning an anaconda or wanting one or even owning one as a novice snake owner. You just need to do the research and know that you will need to provide housing, food and have another helper to move your anaconda as I would not move a 15' snake alone even if it was tame. Things can go wrong and something that big, it only takes once and you might not be around to evaluate now to do it the next time. And yes good advice is go check one out at the zoo and see its size there and then ask yourself "would you be comfortable having something that large and moving it around for cleanings and afford to feed it rabbits and piglets for its life.

Oh another thing if you want a big snake is check out dwarf or super dwarf retic pythons. They are pretty active, really smart and don't get huge like normal retics. Only downside is they tend to be on the pricier side and you want to make sure of its blood line so you know its a super dwarf. I've been wanting a dwarf or super dwarf phantom or golden child but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Oh also forgot, keep in mind if you do get a large constrictor like an anaconda, trying to rehome something that big is not going to be an easy task. A boa? Sure. A dwarf retic morph? Sure. A 15' green anaconda? No thanks.

Going from a BP to an anaconda is like going from a teacup poodle to a wolf hybrid. Giant snakes are no joke, and are a whole different ballgame than keeping BPs. However, I do agree with others here in that I think the biggest issue is the OP's willingness to swap out the bp so quickly. Animals are not commodities to be traded or swapped randomly, unless breeding. Pending some major issue with the BP, I think its always best to stick with your current animal, learn all that you can, gain experience, and then you can add to your collection in time.

Could you properly take care of an anaconda with an appropriate level of research, preparedness, advice and money? Absolutely, most people can if they have the time, resources and give the effort. But jumping into giant snakes after little reptile experience is always a bad idea for the snake and for the person. I can tell you that while green anacondas gained a bad reputation when they first became available as pets, captive bred animals are proving to be very tractable and gentle.

I just want to put more emphasis on the two people per giant snake handling rule. My husband transported venomous snakes from the airport as a job. When he had to handle a burm, he got a buddy. Who was not me. I'm simply not big enough to manhandle a cranky burm. Apparently it had to be sent to a zoo. It broke its enclosure. It's healthy and happy in a zoo, Not all snakes are that lucky.

Just picture having to explain to the neighbors that dogs cats and small children need to be kept inside until further notice because a chicken eating snake is missing. Not cool.