Eunectes Murinus - Captivity

Captivity

Anacondas, like other snakes and most other reptiles, can quite easily adapt to a change in the climate, environment, and near surroundings when necessary. The reasons for an anaconda's needing to adapt can vary. They may need to adjust to changes in the availability of food, and any diseases they may be exposed to in new surroundings. An anaconda might also have to adjust to changes in temperature and humidity. Changes in temperature could drastically affect the snake because it is ectothermal, and relies on its environment to control its temperature. If the temperature of its surroundings increases, a snake will do everything possible to prevent its body from overheating, and if it decreases, it will attempt to lie in heated areas to help maintain its normal temperature. Anacondas control and regulate their body temperatures by changing the amount of surface of their skin exposed to the sun. If the terrarium, location, or "tank" where a reptile is kept is uniformly heated, producing what is known as "the greenhouse effect", then the snake could possibly die from overheating (hyperthermia). The humidity of its surroundings might also be slightly different from the humidity to which the snake was previously accustomed. This could, potentially, drastically alter its shedding cycle. The obstruction of this cycle is extremely dangerous. The hindrance of an anaconda's shedding cycle most often causes retention of eye caps. Due to these conditions and emotions of the snake, anacondas are known for their aggressive disposition when being held in captivity.