young anaconda won't feed

blood_shot · 09-20-12, 05:56 AM

Hey everyone. I recently purchased a young male green anaconda from backyard reptiles. Snake was gorgeous upon arrival (althought UPS did send it to the wrong house). When he arrived he was nearly 24in long, good girth and seemed in good spirits. He's a very calm and docile anaconda, never tried to nip me and always just curls up in my lap or around my arm when I take him out. I never expected him to be like this so early, I figured it would be 6 months to a year before it had any trust in me if ever. Anyway, its been about 4 weeks now and for about the last two weeks I have been presenting him with mice but he seems to have zero interest. I have tried one frozen adult mouse and 3 live mice. I have searched very hard locally for young chicks but they are just hard to come by. I have thought about trying a large goldfish but I have honestly never tried with any snake I have even owned (this is my first boa though) so I was holding off on that. Anyway all advice and input will be appreciated

infernalis · 09-20-12, 06:01 AM

We got some Conda keepers here, be patient.

blood_shot · 09-20-12, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

We got some Conda keepers here, be patient.

I will, thanks

MoreliAddict · 09-20-12, 07:55 AM

Not a Conda person, but pics of the snake and enclosure will probably help them help you. I also like anacondas and want to see it. lol

marvelfreak · 09-20-12, 08:04 AM

Please don't feed goldfish as they are very hi in ammonia and can be deadly.
For one mice are way to small. Anacondas should be started out on rats. I would try a rat pup or weaned. If F/T doesn't work you could try live just to get him started. Plus no handling until he eats. Could also be he just hasn't really settle in. Also what are your temps and what's your set up look like? Picture would really help. Any questions just ask.

blood_shot · 09-20-12, 08:16 AM

I have him in a 20 gallon tank with river rock on the hot side and a shallow water side with a filter/waterfall setup.I know it is not big enough but he is barely two feet right now. So over the winter Im going to build a 75 gallon setup on a stand. I like the river's edge setup especially it being a primarily aquatic snake. I am keeping it just at 90* on the hot side and it stays 80-78* on the water side and a constant 70-80% humidity. Snake has left a couple bio-logs in the last couple weeks. Whether it is from the yoke from when he hatched or he fed once I am not sure. I am starting to think Back Yard Reptiles does feed the hatchlings or log any feeding. Judging by the size he was/is when I got him last month he cant be more than 7-9 weeks old.

blood_shot · 09-20-12, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

Please don't feed goldfish as they are very hi in ammonia and can be deadly.
For one mice are way to small. Anacondas should be started out on rats. I would try a rat pup or weaned. If F/T doesn't work you could try live just to get him started. Plus no handling until he eats. Could also be he just hasn't really settle in. Also what are your temps and what's your set up look like? Picture would really help. Any questions just ask.

Ive tried large adult mice, I could try a rat pup but I just gaged the size lump it would give. I am going to wait about 5 days to try again but I will try with a rat pup next time. It has been a stressful time as I just set up the shelving I had him on over the weekend.

marvelfreak · 09-20-12, 08:20 AM

Do you have any hides for him?

Danimal · 09-20-12, 08:23 AM

I have not kept an anaconda but I have had newly acquired pythons and boas go for long stretches without eating that ended up okay. Importantly, I didn't just wait for them to start eating, after 5 or 6 weeks I took them to the vet and had them checked out. I live just north of you and will PM you the name of a local Vet that does exotics, you can call and inquire if you feel it necessary.

Also, are you familiar with "First Monday" in Ripley? You should be able to find chicks there. And later rabbits and piglets........

blood_shot · 09-20-12, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danimal

I have not kept an anaconda but I have had newly acquired pythons and boas go for long stretches without eating that ended up okay. Importantly, I didn't just wait for them to start eating, after 5 or 6 weeks I took them to the vet and had them checked out. I live just north of you and will PM you the name of a local Vet that does exotics, you can call and inquire if you feel it necessary.

Also, are you familiar with "First Monday" in Ripley? You should be able to find chicks there. And later rabbits and piglets........

Haven't heard of it, I went to the local co-ops and they looked at me like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears when I asked for young chicks. I would love the number for the exotic vet

To Marvel- Before I went to the rock/water setup he did have a hide but NEVER used it. I moved it from the hot and cold side and he either sit behind it or beside it. Think I should try putting a hide back in? Would it be worth trying a chick instead of a rat? What about the temps? Naturally it is hot in Brazil and he does come to the warm side for an hour or so during the day but pretty much sticks to the water the rest of the time with part or his body out of the water (like the picture). I dont have the lights on timers but I turn them out when I sleep (which is roughly from 7pm to 2-3am)

marvelfreak · 09-20-12, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blood_shot

To Marvel- Before I went to the rock/water setup he did have a hide but NEVER used it. I moved it from the hot and cold side and he either sit behind it or beside it. Think I should try putting a hide back in? Would it be worth trying a chick instead of a rat? What about the temps? Naturally it is hot in Brazil and he does come to the warm side for an hour or so during the day but pretty much sticks to the water the rest of the time with part or his body out of the water (like the picture). I dont have the lights on timers but I turn them out when I sleep (which is roughly from 7pm to 2-3am)

You could low the temp a couple degrees. I found my Yellow spend 95% of his time on the cool side. I use Reptile bark in my cage just deep enough he can burrow, but he very seldom does. I have a hide on both the warm and cool side. i found mine like to hide behind it more than in it. As for water the only time i see mine even near it is to get a drink or to try hiding under the bowl.
As for the chicks i would stick with the rats. Some snake if the eat something like that young can acquire a taste for it and it can become very hard to switch them over. Plus the poop not as stinky or runny.

MoreliAddict · 09-20-12, 08:56 AM

The only surfaces the snake can be on are rock or water?

I'd recommend putting reptibark on the dry side...

blood_shot · 09-20-12, 09:04 AM

Okay so..

A hide and lower the temp

As far as feeding goes I will try a frozen rat pup in a few days and no handling (its been since the weekend since I held him). Danimal gave the number to a local exotic vet so thats cool.

marvelfreak · 09-20-12, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blood_shot

Okay so..

A hide and lower the temp

As far as feeding goes I will try a frozen rat pup in a few days and no handling (its been since the weekend since I held him). Danimal gave the number to a local exotic vet so thats cool.

Cool and if you want you can add the vet to this thread. It a thread to help people find reptile vets.
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...worldwide.html

Danimal · 09-20-12, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

Cool and if you want you can add the vet to this thread. It a thread to help people find reptile vets.
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...worldwide.html

Done.

Blood_Shot.. First Monday is a large flea market in Ripley, Ms
The first weekend of every month. Beside the normal hodgepodge of items you will also find, usually, a rather large assortment of livestock and hunting dogs. My wife and I go a few times a year. The next one is a week from Friday.