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Species profile · Boidae

Eunectes notaeus

Complete care sheet and morph genetics registry for the yellow anaconda — husbandry parameters, diet, breeding and pairing calculator.

Paraguayan AnacondaAnaconda jauneGelbe AnakondaSuuri (often refers to hybrids but used loosely)Kuriju (Local name)
Adult size
2–3 m
Lifespan
15–20 yrs
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperament
Nocturnal
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Viviparous
01

Husbandry requirements

Yellow Anaconda — origin: South America, the Paraguay River basin and the Pantanal (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay). A PROTECTED species: listed on CITES Appendix II and EU Annex B — CITES documents/certificates are mandatory for keeping and transfer. Many specimens on the market come from wild captures: favour captive-bred (CB) animals, which are better acclimatised and less parasitised..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C
Cool side24–27 °C
Warm side28–32 °C
Basking spot32–35 °C

A heliophilic species that basks in the sun: provide a genuine hot spot of 32-35 °C on the land area. Water maintained at ~26-28 °C. Always offer a thermal gradient and shaded areas for thermoregulation.

Enclosure (adult)
300 × 150 × 90 cm

Robust, secure, custom-built semi-aquatic terrarium / paludarium combining a large water area and a dry land area.

Minimum dimensions for an adult; bigger is always preferable, especially for a female. The length of the tank should at least equal that of the snake. Lockable closures: a strong animal capable of forcing its way out. A dry, warm land area is essential to prevent scale rot.

Humidity
60–80 %

High humidity, ensured largely by the body of water, but the land area must remain relatively dry to prevent dermatitis.

Substrate
Cypress barkCoconut fibreSphagnumPaper / simple substrate (hygiene)

On the land section. Replace it as soon as it becomes soiled or soaked: prolonged contact with damp substrate causes scale rot. Many keepers opt for a simple, easy-to-clean substrate, since the animal often defecates in the water.

UVB
Optional

Not strictly essential but beneficial: low to moderate UVB (Ferguson zone 1-2, ~UVI 1-2) recommended for metabolism and well-being. Provide shaded areas and replace the lamp according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Water source
Always available

A large pool allowing full immersion of the body. Dechlorinated water kept clean (effective filtration or frequent changes), at ~26-28 °C. Strict hygiene: the animal often defecates in the water, which quickly degrades quality and promotes infections.

Origin
Boidae

South America, the Paraguay River basin and the Pantanal (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay). A PROTECTED species: listed on CITES Appendix II and EU Annex B — CITES documents/certificates are mandatory for keeping and transfer. Many specimens on the market come from wild captures: favour captive-bred (CB) animals, which are better acclimatised and less parasitised.

02

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore (piscivore / opportunist) — Fish, rodents, birds, small reptiles and amphibians; young caimans in the wild

Offer a varied diet. Avoid feeding exclusively on raw fish (risk of thiamine / vitamin B1 deficiency linked to thiaminase): include warm-blooded prey (rodents, birds). Watch for overfeeding, as the species is prone to obesity.

Breeding
Viviparous

Seasonal breeding triggered by a slight winter cooling. Litters of 10 to 40 neonates, exceptionally more. Gravid females should be monitored (thermoregulation, feeding refusal).

Health watch points
  • Scale rot (bacterial dermatitis) linked to poorly managed humidity / lack of a dry area
  • Respiratory infections (inadequate thermal parameters, soiled water)
  • Stomatitis (mouth rot)
  • Obesity from overfeeding
  • Internal and external parasites, common in wild-caught specimens
03

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 4 documented genes and 1 named combos for Yellow Anaconda.

  • Granite pepperedRec
  • Axanthic (Anery) silverRec
  • Hypomelanistic pastelInc.d
  • Patternless / Green Phase reduced patternDom
Named combos — 1 documented combined morphs
Ghost
04

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

🧬

Yellow Anaconda × Yellow Anaconda

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

GeneParent AParent B
Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.
05

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the yellow anaconda.

Can you freely own a yellow anaconda?▾
No: the species is protected, listed on CITES Appendix II and EU Annex B, which means valid CITES documents and certificates are required both to keep and to transfer it. Many specimens on the market are wild-caught: always favour a captive-bred animal, which is better acclimatised and less parasitised.
How big does an adult yellow anaconda get?▾
Expect generally between 2 and 3 metres at adulthood, with females noticeably larger and heavier-bodied than males, and rare records exceeding 350 cm. This is why it's nicknamed the 'dwarf' anaconda compared with the much larger green anaconda.
What enclosure does this semi-aquatic species need?▾
Plan for at least 300 x 150 x 90 cm for an adult, in a custom-built terrarium or paludarium combining a large water area with a dry land area. The tank's length should at least match the snake's length, and the closures must be lockable, since this is a powerful animal capable of forcing open a poorly secured lid.
Why is a dry land area absolutely essential?▾
Contrary to what you might expect for an aquatic snake, a relatively dry land area is essential: prolonged contact with damp or soiled substrate causes scale rot, one of the most common health problems in this species.
How should temperature and basking be managed?▾
This heliophilic species enjoys basking: provide a genuine hot spot of 32-35°C on the land area, on top of a gradient of 28-32°C on the warm side and 24-27°C on the cool side, with water kept around 26-28°C. Don't forget shaded areas so the animal can also cool off.
What humidity level should you aim for?▾
The large body of water naturally provides humidity of 60 to 80%, but make sure the land area stays comparatively dry to avoid any skin problems.
What should you feed a yellow anaconda?▾
Vary its diet between fish, rodents, birds and small reptiles or amphibians: avoid a diet made up exclusively of raw fish, which risks a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency due to thiaminase, and regularly include warm-blooded prey. Also watch for overfeeding, as this species is prone to obesity.
Is this snake easy to handle?▾
No, it has a reputation for being defensive and highly food-reactive, biting readily even in captive-bred individuals. An adult must be handled by two people, as bites can be deep and painful: this is a species reserved for experienced keepers.
Is the yellow anaconda suitable for a beginner?▾
No, it is classed as advanced level: its size, strength, unpredictable temperament and the legal constraints tied to its CITES status demand solid experience before taking one on.
What is its lifespan?▾
It typically lives 15 to 20 years, and can exceed 20 years in captivity with good care and a well-managed diet.
How does the yellow anaconda reproduce?▾
Breeding is seasonal, triggered by a slight winter cooling, with live-born litters of 10 to 40 young. Watch gravid females closely, particularly their thermoregulation and any refusal to feed.
What health problems should you watch for?▾
Scale rot linked to poorly managed humidity tops the list, followed by respiratory infections from unsuitable thermal parameters, stomatitis, and obesity from overfeeding. Wild-caught specimens also frequently carry internal and external parasites.

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