The Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur introduces its latest attraction: eight baby Yellow Anacondas, marking the second successful breeding in captivity. These anacondas reach a modest length of six to seven feet, slightly longer than Indian rock pythons. In 2020, the zoo obtained its initial breeding pair from the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust through an animal exchange program. The mother anaconda delivered six young ones, now grown into adults. The Vandalur Zoo proudly showcases the first-ever exhibition of yellow anacondas.
These reptiles thrived in conditions mimicking their natural habitat, leading to two successful births within three years, proving that even exotic species can thrive in captivity when the right environment is provided, exemplified by the zoo`s successful ostrich breeding program. Visitors can observe these fascinating creatures sliding gracefully in their enclosures.
Fed a diet of chicks and mice, the zoo currently houses seven adult anacondas and eight healthy newborns. These anacondas belong to the boa species, also known as Paraguayan anacondas (Eunectes notaeus), and are housed in a specially designed enclosure. These riverine reptiles are typically found near water bodies in Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and northern Uruguay. Unfortunately, in the United States, they were introduced as pets and later abandoned in the wild as they grew.