Small ssserpents: The sanctuary’s Snake and Crocodile Department head Athira Faiqah Md Wahi holding up the anaconda babies. — Bernama
MELAKA: Melaka Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary has successfully bred yellow anacondas after trying for more than 13 years.
Its manager Qurratu A’in Rohaminordin said the conservation centre welcomed 14 snakelets on June 5.
He said yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) is difficult to reproduce even at its native habitat because it requires 12 male snakes to impregnate a female.
“The males will form a ‘breeding ball’ surrounding the female and compete for her.
“But we only have one female and one male anaconda here, so we have to control the optimum temperature in between 33°C and 42ºC during the gestation period,” she told Bernama.
Qurratu A’in said the two adult anacondas mated for the first time on March 25 last year despite the usual mating period falling between September and December.
“The female showed signs of pregnancy in early January when it refused to catch prey and eat the food given, but was still gaining weight.
“It was also often seen sunbathing under the light, so we maintained a warm temperature for her.
“The zoologist, who monitored the condition of the snake, reported that it had increased in size. So we shut down the enclosure to make sure that it did not feel threatened and removed the male anaconda.
She said yellow anaconda is a ovoviviparous snake species, in which the eggs are hatched within the body of the parent.
“This means it gives birth to live young,” she said.
Qurratu A’in said the baby anacondas, about 0.6m long and weighing around 170g, were already independent at birth and did not hesitate to bite when threatened, and could swim well.
“All of these snakelets will be arranged for public viewing at the appropriate time and when their condition has stabilised.”
