anaconda problem

[jjpython]

i just bought a baby green anaconda i think hes going into shed his stomach is pink and skin really dark, and flabby. but what ive noticed is that he has been soaking in the water alot, all day all night, very rare is he under his hides.i took him out to check him out and he seems to be getting red spots randomly on his underside. looks like it could be some form of scale rot, but im not sure. also some of his scales seem to be lifted(no smothed down like normal.) now im wondering if being in the water all the time is normal/good for his health. and does anyone know what the red dots could be or am i right it is scale rot.

for now i took his pool of water out and left him a small dish for drinking, for the next day or two, to lessen the time spent in the water..

thank you

[Lrptls]

please put the water back, thats what anacondas do when they go into shed, they sit in the water constantly, mine always does for a whole week, never leaves the water till he sheds. there colors change alot, mine goes from bright yellow to dark green and his bright yellow belly turns orangish red. dont handle him and give him his water back. dont try to feed him either.

[jjpython]

are you sure about the red spots under his belly

[Lrptls]

yes, all snakes colors change when they are going into shed, many even get spots, my conda does too.

[LdyDrgn]

Anacondas live in the water. Whether they are about to shed or not. Their skin is more rubbery than the land lubbing snakes. Our 2 Yellows rarely exit the water.

Can't tell you what the spots are, but keep his water clean. You may have to change it daily until he sheds. Let us know how it looks after that...

[cristine]

do the spots move, mites?

[Ben_Renick]

I agree, it might not just be from the shed. Green Anacondas do change colors, they go into a dark phase, and then a completely grey phase, but they don't go into an addition of red dots phase! It wouldn't be mites, since mites are black, but it could be something else, never know. I would say put the bowl back since Anacondas are known as "Water Boas" and after the shed, take a picture if possible, and see what's up.:) As far as soaking goes, it's not good for baby anacondas to be in the water 24/7. I would say 5/7 days of the week, baby greens are very prone to water blisters, and all it takes is a little bacteria. So if you allow them to soak all the time, make sure to do frequent water changes and sterilization to make sure there is no bacteria growing in the bowl.:)
~Ben
1.0 Green Anaconda
0.1 Green x Yellow Anaconda
0.0.1 Anery Anaconda
1.0 Super Tiger Retic
0.1 Amazon Tree Boa
1.0 White Lip Python

[jjpython]

i know its not mites or ticks or something like that, i clean the bowl everyday with a 5% bleach solution and rinse it very well and clean it asap is he does his business in it. since last night i haven't seen him in the water so i guess i was being overprotective. i just got him and it my first experience with anacondas, but i have alot of experience with large boids(retic, burm, red tails, ect) but i love condas.

[Reticsrule]

correct me if im wrong but in the one issue of Reptiles magazine that i have there is an article on breeding green anacondas by kelly haller and jud mcclanahan and they said that they kept and bred green anacondas successfully without a large water source(like a pool). all they gave them was a water dish to drink from and they never had a problem. i like anacondas but i will never keep one unless i can keep it without water (except for a drinking dish of course). if it is true that you can keep them without water, dont you guys think it would be much easier?

[anaconda]

I've kept green anacondas for years and I have only ever given them a water bowl. You should keep their enclosure humid, especially when they are shedding, but they do not have to soak to be healthy. I currently have a 12 foot female and an eight foot male who are both in perfect health and completely tame.

[Ben_Renick]

Yes, it's true, you don't need to have a water bowl large enough to soak in. You just have to keep it nice and humid to prevent dry scales. By the way, Anaconda, I would love to see some pics of your condas! Also, did you keep any of your bat eaters?:)
~Ben