Dione rat snake (Elaphe dione)

Short answers

Dione rat snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 110×55×110 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report). Climbing colubrids.

Dione rat snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–29 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 15–19 °C.

Dione rat snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Dione rat snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Dione rat snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–29 °C

Night temperature

15–19 °C

Basking spot

32 °C

Humidity

45–60 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 110×55×110 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report). Climbing colubrids

Substrate

Sand-loam or bark mulch, stone slabs, climbing branches, a water dish

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed mice of a suitable size

Feeding interval

1×/week

Key facts

Adult size

70–110 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Ukraine und Kaukasus über Zentralasien, Iran, Afghanistan und die Mongolei bis Nordchina und Korea – Steppe, Waldrand, Felsgelände, Kulturland

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

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

Cohabitation

Keeping it singly is the least stressful option. In pairs or as a small group (e.g. one male, two females) is common for this species and usually works; the German expert report on minimum requirements calculates the floor area for a pair anyway (0.5 m²) and adds around 20 % volume for each additional animal. Drawback: the risk of a feeding accident — if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. So always feed separately, provide several hides and warm spots, only house animals of the same origin together, and separate them if there is food refusal, bite injuries or weight loss.

Notes

A very adaptable steppe species with a huge range. Robust and straightforward, but it needs a genuine, cold winter rest. A good way into the Eurasian colubrids.

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Dione rat snake (Elaphe dione) currently offered

• 0.0.2 Elaphe dione | House44Reptiles – Herne · 90 €

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Related species

• Russian rat snake (Elaphe schrenckii) – Beginner
• Twin-spotted ratsnake (Elaphe bimaculata) – Beginner
• King rat snake (Elaphe carinata) – Intermediate
• Four-lined snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata) – Intermediate
• Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) – Intermediate
• Baird's rat snake (Pantherophis bairdi) – Beginner
• Red bamboo rat snake (Oreocryptophis porphyraceus) – Intermediate
• Western fox snake (Pantherophis vulpinus) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Dione rat snake (Elaphe dione) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 110×55×110 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report). Climbing colubrids), substrate (Sand-loam or bark mulch, stone slabs, climbing branches, a water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.