Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) (origin: The Amazon and Orinoco basins). Adult size around 300–500 cm, up to 90 kg. Life expectancy 20–30 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Green anaconda: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 400×250×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, anacondas); with a large water basin.
Green anaconda: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 33 °C, at night 23–26 °C.
Green anaconda: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).
Green anaconda: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 20–30 years.
Green anaconda: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 23–26 °C
- Basking spot
- 33 °C
- Humidity
- 70–85 %
- UVB
- Recommended (UVB 5.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 400×250×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, anacondas); with a large water basin
- Substrate
- Soil and bark mulch, a very large filtered water section, roots
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed rats, rabbits, fish
- Feeding interval
- every 2–4 weeks
Key facts
- Adult size
- 300–500 cm, up to 90 kg
- Life expectancy
- 20–30 years
- Origin
- The Amazon and Orinoco basins
- Protection status
- CITES II; A DANGEROUS ANIMAL – keeping it requires a permit in several German states
- 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 world's heaviest snake. It requires a room-filling enclosure with a large water section and, for safety, a second person for all work without exception. Before buying, check state law and the final size realistically – most animals are handed in after two years.
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Related species
- Dark-spotted anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei) – Expert
- Yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) – 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 Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 400×250×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, anacondas); with a large water basin), substrate (Soil and bark mulch, a very large filtered water section, roots), 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/Gro%C3%9Fe_Anakonda, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Eunectes&species=murinus
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).