Eunectes murinus

Custom-built semi-aquatic enclosure/room with a large permanent water pool

A giant species reserved for specialised facilities: a commercial terrarium is unsuitable for an adult. Provide a very large pool allowing full immersion and movement of the entire body, plus a heated land area. The dimensions given are a STRICT minimum for a large female; bigger is always better. Perfectly secured enclosure (robust locking): an escape is a public and ecological hazard.

High humidity thanks to the large volume of water; adequate ventilation to avoid stagnant air and respiratory infections.

Water quality is the absolute priority: powerful filtration and/or frequent changes, otherwise dermatitis (scale rot) and infections will follow. Non-ingestible land substrate near feeding areas and easy to clean.

Not strictly essential for this nocturnal snake, but low UVB (index 2-5, forest/shade type) is beneficial for metabolism and well-being. Provide shaded areas.

A large permanent pool, clean, heated (26-30 °C) and deep/wide enough for full immersion and swimming. This is the heart of the setup: water filtration and hygiene are critical for skin and respiratory health.

Tropical South America: the Amazon and Orinoco basins, the Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Trinidad. Habitats: swamps, slow-moving rivers, flooded forests and wetlands.

Strict carnivore (ambush predator) — Whole prey sized appropriately: rats, rabbits, poultry; fish and aquatic prey appreciated. In the wild: fish, birds, turtles, caimans, capybaras.

A predator that constricts and drowns its prey. Feed with a hook/long tongs, never by hand. Major risk of OBESITY in captivity: space adult meals well apart and monitor body condition. Never overestimate how often a large, sedentary constrictor needs to eat.

Massive fecundity: litters of 20 to 80 neonates, sometimes more. Breeding is often tied to a seasonal drop in temperature and may involve 'breeding balls' (several males around one female). Managing dozens of giant newborns is a major logistical challenge: not to be undertaken lightly.

• Respiratory infections (pneumonia), promoted by water/air that is too cold or by poor ventilation
• Bacterial dermatitis / 'scale rot' and blisters linked to dirty water or poorly managed humidity
• Obesity and hepatic lipidosis from overfeeding (a very common problem in captivity)
• Stomatitis (mouth rot) and internal/external parasites (common in imported wild specimens)
• Inclusion body disease (IBD) affecting boids