Yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) (origin: The Pantanal, Paraguay, northern Argentina). Adult size around 200–330 cm. Life expectancy 20–25 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Yellow anaconda: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 250×165×165 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, anacondas); with a large water basin.
Yellow anaconda: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 33 °C, at night 22–25 °C.
Yellow anaconda: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).
Yellow anaconda: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 20–25 years.
Yellow 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 250×165×165 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, anacondas); with a large water basin
- Substrate
- Soil and bark mulch, a large filtered water section, roots
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed rats, rabbits, fish
- Feeding interval
- every 2–3 weeks
Key facts
- Adult size
- 200–330 cm
- Life expectancy
- 20–25 years
- Origin
- The Pantanal, Paraguay, northern Argentina
- Protection status
- CITES II; classified as a dangerous animal in several German states
- Brumation
- A cooler spell of 6–8 weeks
- 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
Markedly smaller than the green anaconda, but still a powerful giant snake with a high space and water requirement. Quick to bite – feed and handle only with a hook and a second person.
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Related species
- Dark-spotted anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei) – 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 Yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 250×165×165 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, anacondas); with a large water basin), substrate (Soil and bark mulch, a 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/Gelbe_Anakonda, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Eunectes&species=notaeus
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).