Coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) (origin: Northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea). Adult size around 200–290 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Coastal taipan: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 365×220×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, taipans).
Coastal taipan: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 34–36 °C, at night 21–24 °C.
Coastal taipan: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Coastal taipan: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Coastal taipan: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 34–36 °C
- Humidity
- 50–65 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 365×220×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, taipans)
- Substrate
- Soil and sand with grass structure, large hides
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed rats
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 200–290 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- Northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – one of the most potent land-snake venoms; a dangerous animal, and several German states prohibit keeping it
- Brumation
- None
- 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
Very large, very fast, very nervous – when threatened it bites several times in succession. One of the most dangerous snakes there is, and only for specialists.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) – Expert
- Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
- Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
- Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert
- Barnett's lancehead (Bothrops barnetti) – Expert
- Usambara bush viper (Atheris ceratophora) – Expert
- Ottoman viper (Montivipera xanthina) – Expert
- Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 365×220×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, taipans)), substrate (Soil and sand with grass structure, large 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: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipan, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Oxyuranus&species=scutellatus
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).