Snakes
Green anaconda care guide
Eunectes murinus
One of the heaviest snakes on earth (females 15+ ft). Expert-only: needs a room-sized enclosure with a large pool.
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Green anaconda enclosure size
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first. An adult green anaconda should live in at least 120" L × 48" W × 36" H; we build toward 144" L × 72" W × 48" H (12 × 6 × 4 ft, roughly 72 sq ft of floor and about a 2154-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 30" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 72" L × 36" W × 24" H recommended · min 48" L × 24" W × 18" H
- Adult
- 144" L × 72" W × 48" H recommended · min 120" L × 48" W × 36" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 90–95°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 84–88°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 78–82°F
- Night
- No lower than 75°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Low-level UVB (ShadeDweller / T5 6%) is beneficial but not strictly required. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 60–80%. Large pool heated to 78–82°F plus a dry land area.
Substrate and depth
Cypress mulch or soil mix on land. Depth: 3–4 in.
Water and filtration
- Water depth
- Deep enough to fully submerge; water 78–82°F
- Filtration
- Large filter or drain-and-fill system; water fouls fast
- Basking dock
- Dry land area large enough for the whole snake
Diet and feeding
Rodents and rabbits sized to the snake, every 2–4 weeks for adults.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Clutter — cork, leaf litter, plants — for cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Green anaconda FAQ
How big should an adult Green anaconda enclosure be?
At least 120" L × 48" W × 36" H, and we recommend building to 144" L × 72" W × 48" H — about 12 × 6 × 4 ft, or a 2154-gallon glass equivalent. Aquatic — water volume and floor area first.
What temperatures does a Green anaconda need?
Basking or warm surface 90–95°F surface, warm side 84–88°F, cool side 78–82°F, night No lower than 75°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Green anaconda need UVB?
Low-level UVB (ShadeDweller / T5 6%) is beneficial but not strictly required. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Green anaconda need?
60–80%. Large pool heated to 78–82°F plus a dry land area.
What substrate is best for a Green anaconda?
Cypress mulch or soil mix on land, at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a Green anaconda enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended, minimum 30" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Is there anything to be careful about when keeping a Green anaconda?
Giant constrictor. Many states and cities restrict or ban large constrictors — check local laws. Always handle with a second person present.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own green anaconda record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.