Green anacondas are the heaviest snakes in the world. The pet trade, wild collection, and the challenges of keeping large constrictors in captivity raise serious welfare concerns.
Anacondas in inadequate captivity — which describes most private keeping situations — suffer chronic stress from inappropriate temperatures, humidity, and enclosure size. Their respiratory health deteriorates in suboptimal conditions. Wild-caught individuals show higher stress and poorer captive adaptation than captive-bred animals. Most private keepers cannot provide adequate care for animals that live decades and reach enormous size. Surrendered anacondas often end up euthanised because suitable homes are unavailable.