The numbers
Enclosure
90 × 45 × 45 cm
Diet
Mice (avoid high-fat rats) · Every 7–14 days
Temperature
warm 30–32 °C (88–90 °F) / cool 22–25 °C (72–77 °F) / night Heat off unless < 15 °C
Humidity
30–50% + humid hide for shedding
UVB
Beneficial (diurnal)
Identity
Family / Order
Colubridae (rear-fanged) / Squamata
Origin
Distribution
Prairies & sandy plains
Adult size
♀ 60–90 cm · ♂ 35–55 cm
Lifespan (captivity)
15–20 yrs
Activity
Diurnal; keen burrower (upturned snout)
Temperament
Charming, bold; mild rear-fanged (harmless to humans)
Price (THB)
~3,000–8,000 (morphs more)
Morphs
12 morphs, with how each one is inherited.
Albino (T-)RecessiveRed/orange/yellowSuper form: —
AnacondaCo-dominantReduced pattern; super = patternlessSuper form: Superconda
ArcticCo-dominantSuper form: Super Arctic
AxanthicRecessiveGrey/black/whiteSuper form: —
Evans HypoCo-dominantSuper form: —
GreenLine-bredLine-bredSuper form: —
LavenderRecessiveSuper form: —
Leucistic (combo)comboMulti-gene whiteSuper form: —
SableRecessiveSuper form: —
SupercondaCo-dominantPatternless — viableSuper form: (super)
ToffeebellyRecessiveSuper form: —
Toffeeglow (Albino+Toffee)comboSuper form: —
Enclosure and conditions
Warm side / basking
30–32 °C (88–90 °F)
Cool side
22–25 °C (72–77 °F)
Night
Heat off unless < 15 °C
Humidity
30–50% + humid hide for shedding
UVB
Beneficial (diurnal)
Min. size
90 × 45 × 45 cm (3×1.5×1.5 ft)
Substrate
Sand-soil mix / aspen for burrowing
Water
Small bowl
Diet
Staple
Mice (avoid high-fat rats)
Prey size
≈ widest part of the body
Method
Frozen-thawed; some need scenting
Juveniles
Every 5 days
Adults
Every 7–14 days
Note
Prone to obesity — don't overfeed ♀
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Tolerant & entertaining; rarely bites
Defense
Famous bluffer: hoods, hisses, plays dead
Rear fangs
Mild saliva for toads; harmless to humans
Cohabitation
House individually
Children
Good, supervised
Reproduction
Sexual maturity
♀ ~2 yrs · ♂ ~1 yr
Sexing
Size dimorphism + probing
Clutch
4–20 eggs
Incubation
~55–60 days at 27–28 °C
Breeding trigger
2–3 month cool brumation
Common health problems
Obesity
Signsoverfeeding, esp. females on rats
Preventfeed mice, correct interval
Respiratory infection
Signsclicking, mucus
Preventwarm + dry + ventilation
Retained shed
Signsstuck skin / eye caps
Preventhumid hide during shed
Refusal / picky feeding
Signsstops eating
Preventscenting, patience; vet if weight loss
When to see a vet
This is not veterinary advice. If red flags appear (open-mouth breathing, months of weight loss, 'stargazing', persistent regurgitation) consult a qualified exotic (herp) veterinarian. Quarantine new arrivals 30–90 days.
Good to know
- World-class drama queen: flattens a cobra-like hood, hisses, then flips over 'dead' — tongue out.
- The upturned 'pig' snout is a digging tool for unearthing toads.
- Rear-fanged and mildly venomous to prey only — considered harmless to people.
Common questions
Is it venomous to humans?
Rear-fanged with mild saliva — considered harmless; reactions are very rare.
Why did it play dead?
A famous defensive bluff — totally normal.
Why rats are discouraged?
Too fatty — females get obese; stick to mice.
What it needs
- Enclosure 90×45×45
- Heat + thermostat
- Low UVB
- Sand-soil substrate
- Humid hide
- Small water bowl
- F/T mice