Male Green Anaconda Temperament

[strictaz]

Ive got a juvie about 3.5 feet i've had for about a month now. When i first got him he was fine with handling, but as he's gotten more comfortable he's gotten more aggressive biting at the most random times. Eats amazing, temps are fine, humidity is good. Any tips on calming him down? I normally do burms and retics and this is a completely different game lol. With the pythons you can tell when theyre moody and somethings not right but with this guy he'll act as if everything is normal and while he's moving through my hands just decide to turn and bite. Totally normal for condas, and I have no problem with him being like this forever but i'd like to try and change it, especially since he's still young.

Just wondering if any of you conda experts out there could give me some advice and tricks. He just seems nervous overall.

[Tsubaki]

I have only cared for their yellow cousins, can't say i have any experience with the big greens. And i would not dare call myself an expert. But maybe you will find this information useful, so i decided to share it anyway. These yellows are my friends which i help care for since a few years now, he has 2 breeding pairs and a few babies. Even though they are not greens, from what i know they have quite similar characters.

Some of them became reasonably docile with a lot of handling, they barely ever strike (one of the females is quite docile).. But more often they are not, and remain defensive. (like the other 3 :D and they are handled just as often) Personally i prefer the defensive animals, they tend to show/warn more when they are going to bite you, personally i see them as safer to handle because you automatically handle them with more caution. The 'docile' one will still sometimes have a mood-swing, and do exactly what you describe. Turn around and nip at you. However after working with her often, i see it coming now. Very subtle motion changes tips it off, took me a while to catch on to that. (i still treat her like any other defensive animal though, she is not gonna catch me by surprise)

[SSSSnakes]

You are dealing with a very large water snake, that are normally aggressive/defensive. Taming them down is not always an option. Be prepared to have a 16' to 20' nasty snake to deal with. They are not like a Burm or a Retic.

[Kid Boa]

Welcome to the world of the lil green monster. :)

Male green Anacondas only reach approx.,. 10ft. Although Greens can be more . . . cough, aggressive then other boas, most will com down with regular handling. Although there are some exceptions. :)

A couple things to remember. Make sure your husbandry is 100% on par, a happy animal is a happy animal. :)

And with all snakes, if he bites don't put him down or back in this cage or he will learn that biting gets him freed.

Remember, this is brumation season so some snakes are or can be a little weird and or aggressive.

[SSSSnakes]

Welcome to the world of the lil green monster. :)
Male green Anacondas only reach approx.,. 10ft.

This is true, but is it determined that he has a male? Has he had the snake sexed? The use of the word he and she some times referring to snakes is generic, as a lot of people never really sex the snake, they just assume it's sex. As you pointed out there can be a hugh size difference between a male and a female.

[psychocircus]

This is true, but is it determined that he has a male? Has he had the snake sexed? The use of the word he and she some times referring to snakes is generic, as a lot of people never really sex the snake, they just assume it's sex. As you pointed out there can be a hugh size difference between a male and a female.

I assume yes, as "male" is in the title, not just "he" in the text;)

[SSSSnakes]

I assume yes, as "male" is in the title, not just "he" in the text;)

Good point, I seemed to have missed that. Thank you. As I get older the brain starts to malfunction more and more.

[psychocircus]

Good point, I seemed to have missed that. Thank you. As I get older the brain starts to malfunction more and more.

Happens to the best of us!

[marvelfreak]

Number one rule of owning a anaconda never let your guard down. Never trust even the sweetest anaconda because it not if they will bite but when. Some snake just better display snakes.

[Mikoh4792]

Number one rule of owning a anaconda never let your guard down. Never trust even the sweetest anaconda because it not if they will bite but when. Some snake just better display snakes.

Why are condas such cheeky snakes?

[marvelfreak]

Why are condas such cheeky snakes?

That I wish I knew. I believe they just really hate being handle. I almost think that when they just bite out of the blue it more out of instinct than aggression.

[Sublimeballs]

Why are condas such cheeky snakes?

They feel a need to live up to the movie??

Idk, my yellow male was extremely calm for the first few months. Then he started doing exactly what's been described. No strikes, no signals, just turn bite and let go. Sometime a couple times in a row. I don't mind at all, gives him character.

[psychocircus]

Do anacondas have any natural predators at a large size? I wonder why they are so defensive.

[IW17]

I have no personal experience with Anacondas, but they are for all intents and purposes, huge water Snakes. And for whatever reason I've always found water Snakes to be unpreddictable and irritable. Just my 2 cents.

[strictaz]

Thanks guys. Lol well I guess I'll just dive in and hope for the best. So far been bit 6 times. First time he bit me 2 times in one session then 4 times in the next. Lol I don't give up. Havent been bit for a couple weeks but been handling with extreme caution and slow movements. He just gets too nervous and tense. Hopefully handling will calm him down but if not, like I said, I am prepared for a 11 foot chomper, I know my stuff and have been wanting one of these for a long time. I just finally decided I was ready to clean ones poop so often. They do go to the washroom very often by nature.

And marvelfreak I agree, I just don't see him being fully comfortable with handling let alone liking it.

[Tsubaki]

I hope for you it will calm down, makes everything a lot easier. If not, good luck with your 11 foot mean smelly poop machine :D I'd love to see pictures!

[moshirimon]

Can we see some pics

[strictaz]

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj6/KINGbiggypac/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140130_143024_zps214f121a.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/KINGbiggypac/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140130_143024_zps214f121a.jpg.html)

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj6/KINGbiggypac/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140130_142724_zps51c1fdad.jpg (http://s268.photobucket.com/user/KINGbiggypac/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140130_142724_zps51c1fdad.jpg.html)

Here he is. And he is WC.

[Tsubaki]

Nice!! they look so sturdy :D

[Robin.M]

I have a WC female from Trinidad. 98% of the time she is an absolute joy to handle. Very inquisitive and always roaming over my arms.

2% of the time she's a nasty *$^#& going through PMS.

Couple of tips I can give you when it comes to Green Anacondas

- Change water daily. Even if it isn't dirty. It keeps them happy
- Sharpen your skill of dodging bites.
- Spot clean enclosure daily.
- Try to handle for a few minutes every day, or at least 4 times a week. Keep it under a half hour, and NEVER put back if they bite.
- DO NOT overfeed. Green Anacondas are NOTORIOUS for being obese in captivity. Give it time, and it will grow. Green Anacondas are VERY slow growers. No where near what Retics are.
- Provide a water dish that is big enough for the snake to soak in, yet still feel secure. I like black rubbermaids which are just big enough for the snake to get into yet she is pressed up against all sides.
- Take ALL advice (yes, even mine), with a grain of salt. Lots of people think they know everything about Green Anacondas but really don't know squat. You get some people saying females get 20', whereas the majority I've seen have been around 13' - 15' as 10+ year old adults, only ever seeing two specimens at 16'.

Biggest thing is you need to realize you might get stuck with an adult Green Anaconda that is just nasty, which sucks. If you sharpen your dodging skills enough though, you might be able to escape without a bite everytime you clean!

Rob

[strictaz]

I have a WC female from Trinidad. 98% of the time she is an absolute joy to handle. Very inquisitive and always roaming over my arms.

2% of the time she's a nasty *$^#& going through PMS.

Couple of tips I can give you when it comes to Green Anacondas

- Change water daily. Even if it isn't dirty. It keeps them happy
- Sharpen your skill of dodging bites.
- Spot clean enclosure daily.
- Try to handle for a few minutes every day, or at least 4 times a week. Keep it under a half hour, and NEVER put back if they bite.
- DO NOT overfeed. Green Anacondas are NOTORIOUS for being obese in captivity. Give it time, and it will grow. Green Anacondas are VERY slow growers. No where near what Retics are.
- Provide a water dish that is big enough for the snake to soak in, yet still feel secure. I like black rubbermaids which are just big enough for the snake to get into yet she is pressed up against all sides.



I have been doing absolutely all of this. Constant cleaning everyday. And daily handling, unless he's been fed within 3-4 days. He never seems hunger related aggressive, but rather just insecure. My substrate is just paper if that means much (doubt they normally burrow, and it's much easier to clean). He switches from his hide to his water bowl, for cover, and drops urates in his bowl every single day.

And I've been feeding a fairly large meal every 3 weeks. So far he's had two meals with me.

[Snakesitter]

Great sdvice.