Yellow Anaconda bath

Orcinus · 11-28-19, 08:01 AM

Hello,

I'm getting a young yellow anaconda next week, so wanted to ask for some advice from fellow conda owners here, or any owners of nice big snakes. I'm fully aware that anacondas are semi aquatic snakes and that they need to soak in order to be happy and healthy. But, the enclosure I'll be keeping it in (don't know the gender yet) will have a water dish, not something big enough for it to soak in. I've heard of conda owners talking about how much these beauties like to soil their water and I'm a bit concerned about that. Don't want the snake to drink from the same tub in took a dump in, in case I don't notice it in time to change the water. So I figured that it'd be best to keep a good sized water dish on the enclosure for it to drink, and to get it out to soak in a tub for a couple of hours. I'm sure that in a span of 2 hours, the water temps will drop, especially now that it's winter (not a fan of heating). So, my question is, has any big snake owners ever used aquarium heaters for their soaking tubs? The heater is adjustable, and that's another plus since I can be sure that water is in the right temps. But I'm afraid the snake will knock off the heater (it has suction cups), causing it to float and burn out since these devices need to be always submerged, and I don't even want to think about the possible danger it'll pose for the snake itself (if there is any) in case it floated and malfunctioned. I will mention that the snake will be soaking in my room (at least 4 times a week), while I do other stuff, so it'll be monitored, more or less.
Any advice is highly appreciated.

craigafrechette · 11-28-19, 09:52 AM

Those aquarium heaters get pretty hot,I wouldn't trust my snake not to get burned using that.

I can't imagine taking a yellow Conda out for several forced soaks a week is a good idea either. My two cents: if you can't provide the enclosure the animal needs it's not fair to bring the animal home.
Taking the animal out for soaks in your time isn't fair to the animal. That species should be able soak at its leisure, not when it's convenient for you.

Their water features also provide security, not just the actual water. So not providing a proper water feature is again, not fair to the animal.

**Tsubaki** · 11-28-19, 03:16 PM

I agree fully with the above message, and would like to add something. If your yellow Annie turns out to be a real **nt, and stresses out from handeling badly. How will you provide a healthy environment for it then? Annies are not known to be very nice. I own several large snakes and have kept them for a long time.. I cant imagine having a large snake going into shed right after eating (and it will NEED to soak then) and having to get it out in feed mode with a full belly to bathe it? Insane if you ask me, and harmful for the animal. Best is a waterbowl(basin) that has a drain for anacondas.. and set an alarm to check it if youre afraid to forget. There are other ways to prevent the water from being cold, but best way is to not start with cold water, and have a proper ambient temp so it wont cool too much.

Orcinus · 11-29-19, 11:43 AM

I highly appreciate your advice and opinions. The verdict is a big plastic bin in it's enclosure that'll be heated with a regulated heat mat. The water will be changed 2\3 times a day. And as for the snake, I'll work with it as much as it'll need, without stressing it out of course. And even if it'll remain defensive, I won't care much and just let it do it's own thing. I never gave up on an animal because of behavioural issues, and I won't be doing it now.

craigafrechette · 11-29-19, 05:05 PM

You wouldn't be giving up on an animal with behavioral issues. You haven't even acquired the animal yet. Nobody said anything about behavioral issues.

The issue is you trying to house an animal you don't sound equipped to house. These animals take months or longer to research before bringing them home. This is the type of animal that requires planning and a proper enclosure set up ahead of time.
If you're still not sure how you're going to house the animal, you're not ready. And since you're changing your plans days before the animal arrives you're not ready.

Do the right thing, pump the brakes and hold off on bringing a yellow anaconda home. You wouldn't be giving up on an animal, you'd be doing right by the animal by not bringing it home.

marvelfreak · 11-30-19, 02:38 AM

Mine never pooped in the water. I had a 8 foot male and he hated begin taking out of his cage, Taking him out meant i was getting bit every time putting him back in. He spent 90% of his time soaking but always left the water to poop in the far corner of the cage. I had him hook train. I would touch him with the hook and would go to the other side of the cageso i could clean that side. Then i would change his water bowl.

Orcinus · 11-30-19, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

You wouldn't be giving up on an animal with behavioral issues. You haven't even acquired the animal yet. Nobody said anything about behavioral issues.

The issue is you trying to house an animal you don't sound equipped to house. These animals take months or longer to research before bringing them home. This is the type of animal that requires planning and a proper enclosure set up ahead of time.
If you're still not sure how you're going to house the animal, you're not ready. And since you're changing your plans days before the animal arrives you're not ready.

Do the right thing, pump the brakes and hold off on bringing a yellow anaconda home. You wouldn't be giving up on an animal, you'd be doing right by the animal by not bringing it home.

Tsubaki mentioned behavioural issues and that's why I did too. And what do you mean by "You're changing your plans"? the only thing that've changed is the size of the water tub. Isn't that what you said that's need to be done? Is that such a radical change as to point out that I'm not ready for this species? I've seen several keepers keep these snakes with small water dishes and give them regular soaks, not saying that you always need to follow the crowd though, but it seems to work with them, and the snakes seemed healthy and calm.
Keeping reptiles in general is seen as a controversial topic, with many keepers have completely different views on some aspects, and because of that, I did spend years reading different sources about keeping them, as it's been a lifelong dream of mine.
I know that you meant well by saying the things you said, but I felt that you just kept repeating that I'm not ready for a snake such as this, and not giving actual advice as Tsubaki did. I've shown that I'm more that ready to improve and change what needs to changed, in order for the snake to feel safe and live a happy life, and you still kept saying that I'm not ready. I just feel that by doing so, you'll discourage not only me, but also other people from coming here and asking for advice, that's all.
I do appreciate your concern for the animal, but it just came off in a slightly negative way.
As an owner of several bettas, I always educate people as how to keep them right (the whole no filter,no heater, feeding once a week myth). I've seen several people buy a tiny bowl for them and some poor qaulity flake food etc, and instead of nagging that they're abusing the fish, I explain how to do it right, and what poor conditions can do to them. People respond very positively to that and change their views and methods of keeping these fish. I'm in no way saying owning a puny betta is anything like owning a huge anaconda, but it's still an animal that deserves a happy life too, and if someone came to me for advice on how to keep them, I'd be more than happy to share and I'd be happy that the person wants to do right by the animal and take proper care of it. Now if I started repeating myself and saying that he should've left the fish in a tiny cup in the petshop, that person will simply not come to me for advice, and instead take it from an uneducated petstore worker. You see what I'm talking about?

Orcinus · 11-30-19, 02:58 AM

That's very surprising to hear Marvelfreak, maybe the snake is too smart to do it's business in it's water bowl. I guess it makes cleaning much easier, especially since it's hook trained.

**Tsubaki** · 11-30-19, 09:41 AM

Do you have any experience with other snakes Orcinus? I am glad you've decided to provide a large water tub, the animal will surely appreciate it. I've personally only seen 1 person keep anaconda's with just a waterbowl, and that animal always seems unhappy, trying to squeeze into the tiny waterbowl and making a huge mess of things. And pooping/peeing on wet bedding and laying on it, is not that different in terms of ' unhealthy ' as pooping in a waterbowl and laying in it. Both can cause scale/skin issues with prolonged exposure (occasionally they make a mess and you wont be there for a few hours, this shoulnd't cause issues if the animal is healthy). Most of my snakes that liked to soak either pooped outside of the watertub, or pooped in it and went to lay elsewhere until it was cleaned. I don't think it is needed to change the water 2/3 times a day, checking it 2/3 times a day is a good idea, but actually changing it once a day for smaller snakes and every 2 days for the larger ones is more than enough (unless it looks/smells dirty ofc!) Eventually i'd go for something like a tub with a drain, large watertubs are real backbreakers.

craigafrechette · 11-30-19, 01:27 PM

Im not going to sugar coat and try to explain how to keep an animal when I don't think you need advice on how to keep the animal. I think you need to reconsider before you're in over your head with an animal you're not ready for.
I'm telling you that keeping an animal like this is a HUGE responsibility. And judging by your plan to remove a yellow anaconda for soaks several times a week it waves a huge red flag that you're not prepared for this animal.
Have you ever held an adult anaconda? Or a snake of similar size? I'm guessing not if you think moving them out and back into their enclosures several times a week for forced soaks is a feasible idea.

I've been around this hobby a long time and seen countless people get in over their heads with larger snakes. Combine that with the typical attitude of a Conda and you're asking for trouble.

I'm not trying to help you learn about the animal, that's something you do long before bringing it home, but I am telling you I think it's a mistake bringing any animal home you're not prepared for, let alone an animal like a Conda.

Orcinus · 12-01-19, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

Do you have any experience with other snakes Orcinus? I am glad you've decided to provide a large water tub, the animal will surely appreciate it. I've personally only seen 1 person keep anaconda's with just a waterbowl, and that animal always seems unhappy, trying to squeeze into the tiny waterbowl and making a huge mess of things. And pooping/peeing on wet bedding and laying on it, is not that different in terms of ' unhealthy ' as pooping in a waterbowl and laying in it. Both can cause scale/skin issues with prolonged exposure (occasionally they make a mess and you wont be there for a few hours, this shoulnd't cause issues if the animal is healthy). Most of my snakes that liked to soak either pooped outside of the watertub, or pooped in it and went to lay elsewhere until it was cleaned. I don't think it is needed to change the water 2/3 times a day, checking it 2/3 times a day is a good idea, but actually changing it once a day for smaller snakes and every 2 days for the larger ones is more than enough (unless it looks/smells dirty ofc!) Eventually i'd go for something like a tub with a drain, large watertubs are real backbreakers.

I have two milks and a king. And I also snake-sat (is that a term?) a boa constrictor mix of some sort for a friend of mine for about 2 months or so.
The idea with the tub that's drainable is awesome, definitely looking into it as I upgrade the enclosure as the snake grows, it's also much cheaper than getting an automatic aquarium gravel vac (which I was planning to get). Thanks for the advice.

**Tsubaki** · 12-01-19, 10:33 AM

I don't know what you mean with a snake-sat, I do think you might get in over your head a little. Unless you've gotten experience with actual larger snakes (3M+, preferably with attitude) -you might have experience, I don't know-. But if you do not; going from milks/kings (and a little bit of boa experience) to a snake as large and heavy as a yellow annie (who can easily get 3,5/4,5m sometimes even larger) is a HUGE step. A 'Just learnt to stay afloat in a pool -> jumping head on into a rampaging river' kind of step. Especially since they're not known to be the easiest to deal with.

Its good that you're starting with a juvenile. However I really do have to warn you, they grow fast, even sub-adult yellow anacondas can cause serious bodily harm do not take them lightly. Even if its ' just a yellow '.. And (atleast around here) it's very hard to sell off yellow anaconda's once they reach a certain size, if they're not very well behaved. You might get stuck with a snake you can't handle and can't sell either, that woulnd't be good for anyone or the snake. Nothing I can say can force you to not purchuase this animal, but I do hope you heed my warning and are extremely careful. I wish you the best of luck!

chairman · 12-01-19, 06:43 PM

If I was going to keep an anaconda then I would use a a stock tank intended for watering small livestock like sheep as a water dish. They typically hold 40-60 gallons of water and have bottom drains. I have a 100 gallon stock tank that I use to keep fish in outdoors and I plumbed a shut off valve on the bottom drain. Draining that much water out of a 1/2" pipe is a slow process, and snake feces could potentially block the drain hole at times, but it is better than trying to lift 400 lbs of water or siphon a plastic tub.