Classification
Order: scuamata
Family: boigae
Genus: eunectes
Species: Eunectes notaeus
Habitat
The Paraguayan anaconda is endemic in South America and can be found in the south of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, as well as in some provinces in Argentina.
In Brazil there have been seen inter species hybrids with Eunectes murinus.
The Paraguayan anaconda dwells in tropical and subtropical rainforest and can be commonly seen along the rivers and by the lakes, as well as in swamps and marshes. It spends most of the time in the water; actually it can stay submerged for a long time and only gets out to get a warm. Anaconda is active around the clock; it is relatively still while it is digesting the food on the ground.
The Paraguayan anaconda is an excellent swimmer. Sometimes it waits for the prey hiding in the water. During the draughts it buries itself in the ooze where it stays hibernated until the next rain season.
Outward appearance
Normally the yellow anaconda grows to an average 3.5 meters, though large specimen can reach 5 m. It is the smallest of all anacondas.
The Paraguayan anaconda is grayish or green-yellowish color with large dark spots along the spine and the smaller ones - on the sides.
Males and females have similar size and color. Males have longer tail though which gets thicker at the base; on both sides from anal flap can be seen relics of hindlimbs that look like claws. Females have shorter tails without thickening; the claw are less obvious.
Character
The Paraguayan anaconda is a large and rather aggressive snake that can be dangerous for people.
Even the ones born in captivity that have lived in close contact with humans all their lives can bite without warning.
Anacondas are non-venomous snakes but their bites are quite painful.
Maintenance care
The Paraguayan anaconda needs a very large horizontal type enclosure about 100х60х70 cm. About two thirds of the surface should be occupied by a water container at least 50 cm deep for the anaconda to swim in. One third of the surface should be covered by the substrate: sand, gravel, sphagnum moss or coconut husks. You have to clean the enclosure and change the water completely once a week. You have to get a pump or a powerful filter and an aquarium heater for the water. Anaconda will need hiding places on the ground; you can make for her a small wooden house. Anacondas have to be kept separately from other reptiles.
The Paraguayan anacondas require temperature of around 21°C at night and 25 – 30°C at daytime.
The best temperature in the water is 20-24°C (you might need a heater).
The humidity in the enclosure should be 50 – 70%, so the owner should mist once a day.
Your anaconda will require 12 hours of daylight, so you will want luminescent UV lamps.
Feeding
In the wild the Paraguayan anaconda eats various mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Although it prefers to hunt live prey, it also eats dead animals.
In the captivity anacondas usually fed with rodents: rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs. Fish and chicken can also be added to the menu. These snakes eat their meals in the water.
It is important not to overfeed your anaconda, since in the captivity they are prone to obesity. The hatchlings are fed once every 3-5 days, and the adult snakes – once every 8-10 days. It is very important not to disturb the snake one hour after the meal, otherwise it can regurgitate their food.
You have to give to your anaconda the vitamins and mineral supplements with its food.
Features
The Paraguayan anaconda requires a very large enclosure with a water reservoir and needs live prey.
It can be very aggressive and its bites are very painful. It is not suitable for beginners or children.
The anacondas eat a lot, and their food can get expensive.
Diseases
If the enclosure is not cleaned properly, anacondas can develop necrotic dermatitis. It manifests itself in the form of uneven spots with unusual color; the scales on these spots look dull and come off easily. It can be treated with antibacterial ointment and of course, with proper hygiene in the enclosure.
If your snake refuses to eat, it can be caused by stress, unsuitable food, or it can happen that the snake just is not hungry. You should not try and force the food into the snake: they can live without food for a long time without any damage for their health. You should only start worrying if your snake doesn’t eat for several months. Then you need to analyze its living conditions and the menu prior to this situation. If it comes to the worst, the snake can be fed intravenously.
The anaconda can vomit because of stress, illness or if the prey was too big. Also it can vomit if it was fed during shedding or if the temperature in its enclosure is not suitable. After vomiting you mustn’t feed the snake for 7-10 days, and then you can offer it food taking into account the previous mistakes.
Shedding is not a disease, it is a necessary step in the snake’s growth. Its eyes get milky, their color grows paler and the skin starts coming off. During this time you should be extra careful about the humidity and clean water in the enclosure.
Mites are small parasites that live on the snake’s skin. They stick on the snake’s body between the scales and suck its blood. This can make the snake lethargic and it can turn down the food. To get rid of mites you need to use the weak solution of the same medicine which is used against ticks on cats and dogs. You will also have to disinfect the whole enclosure.
Respiratory diseases are usually caused by potentially pathogenic bacteria if the immune system of the snake doesn’t function properly either due to a stress or to unsuitable living conditions. The symptoms include gasping, open mouth, runny nose. These diseases are treated by the injections of antibiotic called Baytril.
Breeding
The Paraguayan anaconda is ovoviviparous (the eggs develop in the snake’s body and after a while the young snakes hatch). The shell resolves in the female’s genital tract.
Anacondas breed well in captivity. In order to achieve this, you should put together a male and a female after a short hibernation period (1-2 months with 8-hour daylight and lower temperature). Anacondas become sexually mature at the age of 2,5 – 4 years old. After a complicated ritual of courtship the anacondas mate in the water. The process can last from 4 to 8 hours or more. Sometimes males can stop eating during the mating season. After 5 – 9 months of gestation period the female gives birth to 8 – 30 live young. During the gestation period the female stops eating. A new-born anaconda weighs about 120 – 170 grams, and is 55 – 70 cm long.
Average life expectancy: 20-25 years.
