Caspian whip snake (Dolichophis caspius)

Short answers

Caspian whip snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

180×80×70 cm.

Caspian whip snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–32 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 15–19 °C.

Caspian whip snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0–10.0).

Caspian whip snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 12–18 years.

Caspian whip snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–32 °C

Night temperature

15–19 °C

Basking spot

40 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0–10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

180×80×70 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam with rock structures, a cork hide, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed mice and rats, lizard substitute food

Feeding interval

1×/week

Key facts

Adult size

150–250 cm

Life expectancy

12–18 years

Origin

South-eastern Europe, Asia Minor

Protection status

Protected (Habitats Directive Annex IV) – only captive-bred animals with proof of origin

Brumation

A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 5–10 °C

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

Europe's longest snake. Diurnal, extremely fast and decidedly defensive – not one for beginners despite being non-venomous. A very large space requirement.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Caspian whip snake (Dolichophis caspius) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Common egg-eating snake (Dasypeltis scabra) – Intermediate
• African house snake (Boaedon fuliginosus) – Beginner
• False water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) – Experts
• Spotted house snake (Boaedon maculatus) – Beginner
• Western whip snake (Hierophis viridiflavus) – Intermediate
• Striped house snake (Boaedon lineatus) – Beginner
• Smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis) – Expert
• Rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Caspian whip snake (Dolichophis caspius) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (180×80×70 cm), substrate (Sand-loam with rock structures, a cork hide, climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.