Central American indigo snake (Drymarchon melanurus)

Short answers

Central American indigo snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

200×90×80 cm.

Central American indigo snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 34 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Central American indigo snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

Central American indigo snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Central American indigo snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

34 °C

Humidity

55–70 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

200×90×80 cm

Substrate

Bark mulch, a cork hide, climbing branches, a large water dish

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed rats, day-old chicks, fish

Feeding interval

1×/week

Key facts

Adult size

200–280 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Mexico to Venezuela

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cooler spell of 6–8 weeks

Cohabitation

KEEP THEM SINGLY (they eat their own kind). The reason is not fighting but feeding: these animals take anything that fits in the mouth, and a second animal in the enclosure counts.

Notes

A large, diurnal hunting snake with an enormous urge to move and a big appetite. In the wild it eats snakes too – never house it with others. 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 Central American indigo snake (Drymarchon melanurus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) – Intermediate
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Central American indigo snake (Drymarchon melanurus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (200×90×80 cm), substrate (Bark mulch, a cork hide, climbing branches, a large water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.