Eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) (origin: Eastern and central Australia, southern New Guinea). Adult size around 150–200 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Eastern brown snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
180×80×70 cm.
Eastern brown snake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–32 °C, basking spot 34–36 °C, at night 18–22 °C.
Eastern brown snake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Eastern brown snake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Eastern brown snake: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–22 °C
- Basking spot
- 34–36 °C
- Humidity
- 40–55 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 180×80×70 cm
- Substrate
- Sand-loam with grass structure and hides
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice and rats
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 150–200 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- Eastern and central Australia, southern New Guinea
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – the second most potent land-snake venom; a dangerous animal, and several German states prohibit keeping it
- Brumation
- A cooler spell of 6–8 weeks
- 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
Extremely fast and decidedly nervous; it causes the most fatal snakebites in Australia. Diurnal. For designated specialists only.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- 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
- Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (180×80×70 cm), substrate (Sand-loam with grass structure 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.
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/%C3%96stliche_Braunschlange, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Pseudonaja&species=textilis
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).