Quick Reference Guide for Large Constrictors
Introduction:
Large constrictors are a very fascinating group of animals. They are challenging to keep and are a lot of fun. However, these animals are dangerous and are not recommended for beginning keepers. This will only serve as a quick reference guide for constrictors due to their housing, and general handling being the same. This guide will simply cover temperatures, humidity, feeding, size, lighting, lifespan, difficulty level, and suitable substrates of each species. I hope that this serves as beneficial to you and your animals. The animals that will be covered within this quick reference guide are as follows:
1.) Reticulated Pythons
2.) Burmese Pythons
3.) Green Anacondas
4.) African Rock Pythons
I am not attesting that the information in this guide is perfectly correct, but is correct to the best of my knowledge. Due to the amount of research I have done, this information is the most commonly found and recommended by keepers of the above animals. I assume no responsibility for any illnesses or deaths of animals by utilizing the below information.
Reticulated Pythons:
Photo Courtesy of:Chris Shmuck
Life Span: If properly maintained, reticulated pythons can thrive for 30 years or more.
Size: Hatchlings are usually around 20”. Adult Females can obtain lengths from 17’ feet and higher, while Males usually stick between 14-16 ft. 33ft is the record size of an adult Reticulated Python.
Substrates: Newspaper, Aspen Bedding, and cypress bedding, call all be used. Cypress is great for holding good humidity levels, however, this can work as an adverse affect if not properly controlled.
Temperature: Basking temps should be between 90-92 degrees, with an ambient air temperature 79-82 degrees. Always use thermometers and do NOT even attempt to guess at the temperature. This could make the difference between a healthy or unhealthy snake.
Humidity: 50%-60% humidity will be sufficient, however, during shed a boost to around 70% will be beneficial.
Lighting: Supplemented lighting is not necessary, however, if offered make sure that it is 12hrs on and 12hrs off. 24 hour lighting is stressful to snakes and will ultimately lead to an unhealthy snake, especially to a snake that is nocturnal such as the reticulated python.
Feeding: Once every 10 days will be sufficient especially with young retics, however, the size of the food item will ultimately change this. If given an appropriately sized food item on a regular feeding schedule, your animal should be perfectly content.
Difficulty Level: Advanced- you should have prior experience with large boids and be perfectly content with their handling and maintenance.
Burmese Pythons:
Photo By: Chris Law
Life Span: With proper care and maintenance, 30 years or more should be expected.
Size: Hatchlings are typically between 18”-22”. Females average around 17’-20’, while males average between 11’-15’.
Substrates: Newspaper, Aspen Bedding, cypress bedding- newspaper being cheapest and a top choice of many herpetoculturists, Aspen bedding and cypress are also good. Cypress is great for holding moisture, this can work to your disadvantage if you are not careful
Temperature: 90-92 degrees basking spot. 82-85 ambient air temperature.
Humidity: 50%-60% on normal, raising humidity to about 70%-80% during shed cycles.
Lighting: Nocturnal snake so supplemental lighting is not necessary. However if you choose to do this, provide a light that is 12hrs on and 12hrs off.
Feeding: Baby Burmese are capable of starting off on small adult mice or rat pinkies. Feeding once weekly is ok while younger, but the larger the prey will determine how long it will be before your next feeding. Typically by 4ft- 5ft your animal will be ready to consume adult rats. 8ft-9ft specimens are typically ready for rabbits of appropriate size.
Difficulty Level: It is of my opinion that all large constrictors should only be kept by advanced hobbyists. Some will say that an intermediate hobbyist is ok, which may be true. However, even some intermediate hobbyists are unaware of what they are getting themselves into with such a large animal.
Green Anacondas:
Photo Courtesy of: Ben Renick
Life Span: In captivity 10-30 years should be expected under proper conditions and care.
Size: Babies are typically 27in. - 34in. and get much larger as adults. Females should be expected at average to be around 17ft and larger, while males can typically average 8ft – 11ft.
Substrates: Newspaper, Aspen Bedding, and cypress mulch are all good substrates. Newspaper is easiest and cheapest. Aspen bedding is great and somewhat easy to clean, and isn’t very expensive even for large packages. Cypress mulch holds humidity well, but if this is not monitored this can also work to your disadvantage.
Temperature: A Basking spot 88-92 degrees with an ambient air temperature of 78-80 degrees. Do not allow the temperatures to fall below 75 degrees. Do not guess on temperature, make sure you use a thermometer and hygrometer.
Humidity: 50% - 60% humidity levels are recommended. Do not allow the humidity to fall below that. These levels are pretty easy to maintain, so if you cannot maintain this level of humidity, I feel you should re-evaluate your enclosure.
Lighting: Supplemental lighting not necessary. If you prefer to use however, provide a day and night cycle of 12hrs on and 12hrs off.
Feeding: Rat pups will be great for baby anacondas and a weekly feeding while young will be necessary. By 4ft your snake will be ready to take adult rats. The larger the meal the longer you will wait in between feedings. Feeding too frequently can cause a really fast growth rate and feeding too infrequently can cause health problems. It is best to keep a feeding chart handy. Ultimately large rabbits and larger game will be the anaconda’s choice of food.
Difficulty Level: Definitely ADVANCED. Anaconda’s are very large constrictors and powerful animals. Their large size and typically ill temperament make them unsuitable for anyone but the most advanced hobbyists to attempt keeping.
African Rock Pythons:
Life Span: 30 years or more should be expected from a properly maintained snake.
Size: Hatchlings are typically 14”- 18”. Adult females will average around 16 ft +, while adult males will average around 12’ +.
Substrates: Newspaper, Aspen bedding, and cypress mulch would do great. Newspaper is cheap and easy, Aspen bedding while also cheap provides excellent bedding, and cypress mulch is great for holding humidity. If your terrarium is not setup properly however, cypress mulch can work against you. Use a hygrometer for proper humidity level monitoring.
Temperature: 88-92 degrees basking temperature is recommended with an ambient air temperature of 78-80 degrees. Do not allow the temperature to fall below 75 degrees. Use a thermometer and don’t guess as it will only be your snake that suffers from your bad judgment.
Humidity: This is a little trickier for this particular specimen. A humidity box would be recommended for this species. These animals spend a good portion of their time in marshy areas or burrows in which have high humidity levels. By providing a humidity box plus a steady 60% humidity level or a little higher, you should have a happy Rock Python.
Lighting: Supplemental lighting is not necessary. If you choose to provide it, then provide a light that is 12hrs on and 12hrs off.
Feeding: Rat pups would be recommended while babies, moving up to appropriate sized prey as the animal grows. Suitable sized rodents, rabbits and other large prey will be necessary as the animal gets larger.
Difficulty Level: Advanced keepers only! This animals large size coupled with it’s typically unpredictable, aggressive temperament makes this animal unsuitable for anyone but advanced keepers with knowledge and experience with other large constrictors.