Dice snake (Natrix tessellata)

Short answers

Dice snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 165×65×65 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Eurasian water snakes).

Dice snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 30–35 °C (basking spot above water or land), at night 16–20 °C.

Dice snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (diurnal, basks).

Dice snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Dice snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

30–35 °C (basking spot above water or land)

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

UVB recommended (diurnal, basks)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 165×65×65 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Eurasian water snakes)

Substrate

Absorbent substrate; a very large water section for swimming and diving, a land section with a basking spot and hides

Feeding

Food

Almost exclusively fish (smelt and others, live or frozen); adding vitamin B1 is essential

Feeding interval

adults every 7–10 days, juveniles every ~5 days

Key facts

Adult size

females 100–130 cm, males 70–90 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Southern and eastern Europe to Central Asia; native to Germany (the Rhine, Moselle, Lahn and Nahe – locally), critically endangered

Protection status

Strictly protected: Habitats Directive Annex IV, "strictly protected" under German nature conservation law, Federal Species Protection Ordinance; German Red List "Critically Endangered"; registration required, only legal captive-bred animals with proof of origin – wild collection is strictly prohibited

Brumation

A winter rest is essential: several months from about October or November to April at ~5–8 °C (at least ~6 weeks)

Cohabitation

Keeping it singly is the least stressful option. Pair or group housing is possible in a very large, deep enclosure if feeding is strictly separated - food competition is documented in this species and makes group housing more demanding than in the grass snake.

Notes

A strongly water-bound, diving fish hunter → a very large, deep water basin is essential. High legal requirements because of its strict protected status. A fish specialist → vitamin B1 is essential against thiamine deficiency. A winter rest is essential. A demanding species.

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Related species

• Barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica) – Intermediate
• Grass snake (Natrix natrix) – Intermediate
• Viperine water snake (Natrix maura) – Intermediate
• Ahumada's alpine garter snake (Thamnophis ahumadai) – Expert
• Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon) – Intermediate
• Bogert's garter snake (Thamnophis bogerti) – Expert
• Dekay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi) – Intermediate
• Butler's garter snake (Thamnophis butleri) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Dice snake (Natrix tessellata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 165×65×65 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Eurasian water snakes)), substrate (Absorbent substrate; a very large water section for swimming and diving, a land section with a basking spot 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.