Barnett's lancehead (Bothrops barnetti)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Barnett's lancehead (Bothrops barnetti) (origin: Northwest Peru — Pacific coastal lowland between Lobitos and Talara (Piura) as far as the Río Moche (La Libertad); dry and semi-desert, thorn scrub). Adult size around up to about 120 cm total length; males stout and heavily built, females noticeably smaller and more slender. Life expectancy 12–18 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Barnett's lancehead: How big does the enclosure need to be?
150×80×70 cm.
Barnett's lancehead: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 20–23 °C.
Barnett's lancehead: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not essential.
Barnett's lancehead: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–18 years.
Barnett's lancehead: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 20–23 °C
- Basking spot
- 32 °C
- Humidity
- 55–70 %
- UVB
- Not essential
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 150×80×70 cm
- Substrate
- Sand-loam with leaf litter and hides
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice and rats
- Feeding interval
- adults every 14–21 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- up to about 120 cm total length; males stout and heavily built, females noticeably smaller and more slender
- Life expectancy
- 12–18 years
- Origin
- Northwest Peru — Pacific coastal lowland between Lobitos and Talara (Piura) as far as the Río Moche (La Libertad); dry and semi-desert, thorn scrub
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal under German state law
- Brumation
- No pronounced rest period
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
A dry-forest species, to be kept somewhat drier than B. asper. A nocturnal ambush hunter.
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Related species
- Jararaca (Bothrops jararaca) – Expert
- Terciopelo (Bothrops asper) – Expert
- Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
- Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
- Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert
- Usambara bush viper (Atheris ceratophora) – Expert
- Ottoman viper (Montivipera xanthina) – Expert
- Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Barnett's lancehead (Bothrops barnetti) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×70 cm), substrate (Sand-loam with leaf litter and hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: reptile-database.reptarium.cz, Wikipedia EN, eu_annex.txt (lokal, VO (EU) 2026/1383), gutachten.txt (BML 1997, lokal), EUR-Lex VO (EU) 2026/1383
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).