Dark-spotted anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Dark-spotted anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei) (origin: North-eastern Brazil, French Guiana – flooded savannah). Adult size around 200–280 cm. Life expectancy 20–25 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Dark-spotted anaconda: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 250×140×140 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, anacondas); with a water basin.
Dark-spotted anaconda: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 33 °C, at night 22–25 °C.
Dark-spotted anaconda: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).
Dark-spotted anaconda: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 20–25 years.
Dark-spotted anaconda: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 22–25 °C
- Basking spot
- 33 °C
- Humidity
- 70–85 %
- UVB
- Recommended (UVB 5.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 250×140×140 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, anacondas); with a water basin
- Substrate
- Soil and bark mulch, a large filtered water section
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed rats, fish
- Feeding interval
- every 2–3 weeks
Key facts
- Adult size
- 200–280 cm
- Life expectancy
- 20–25 years
- Origin
- North-eastern Brazil, French Guiana – flooded savannah
- Protection status
- CITES II; very rarely kept
- Brumation
- None
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
The rarest anaconda species, and barely present in Europe. Requirements as for the yellow anaconda. Any offer should be checked critically for origin and correct identification.
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Related species
- Yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) – Expert
- Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) – Expert
- Cuban dwarf boa (Tropidophis melanurus) – Intermediate
- Central American dwarf boa (Ungaliophis continentalis) – Intermediate
- Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
- Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
- Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert
- Ahumada's alpine garter snake (Thamnophis ahumadai) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Dark-spotted anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 250×140×140 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, anacondas); with a water basin), substrate (Soil and bark mulch, a large filtered water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Schauensees_Anakonda, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Eunectes&species=deschauenseei
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).