False water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas)
Snakes · Difficulty: Experts
Key facts and care guidance for False water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) (origin: South America (the Pantanal)). Adult size around 200–260 cm. Life expectancy 12–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
False water cobra: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 200×100×100 cm (with a large water section).
False water cobra: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 32–34 °C, at night 22–24 °C.
False water cobra: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (T5 4–6 %).
False water cobra: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–20 years.
False water cobra: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Experts).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 22–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 32–34 °C
- Humidity
- 60–75 %
- UVB
- Recommended (T5 4–6 %)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 200×100×100 cm (with a large water section)
- Substrate
- Humus and sand, a large water basin, sturdy branches
Feeding
- Food
- Rodents, fish, frogs
- Feeding interval
- Adults 1×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 200–260 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–20 years
- Origin
- South America (the Pantanal)
- Protection status
- Keeping venomous animals: several German states require notification, a permit and proof of expertise
- Brumation
- No
- 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
VENOMOUS (opisthoglyphous): bites can trigger clear symptoms if it chews for longer. A large, powerful and very active species with a high space requirement — check the rules of your own state before buying.
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Related species
- Common egg-eating snake (Dasypeltis scabra) – Intermediate
- African house snake (Boaedon fuliginosus) – Beginner
- Spotted house snake (Boaedon maculatus) – Beginner
- Western whip snake (Hierophis viridiflavus) – Intermediate
- Striped house snake (Boaedon lineatus) – Beginner
- Smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis) – Expert
- Rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus) – Intermediate
- Oriental vine snake (Ahaetulla prasina) – Experts
What you need to start
To keep False water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 200×100×100 cm (with a large water section)), substrate (Humus and sand, a large water basin, sturdy branches), 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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrodynastes_gigas, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Hydrodynastes&species=gigas, https://reptilesmagazine.com/False-Water-Cobra-Captive-Care-And-Breeding/, https://www.reptilecentre.com/pages/info-false-water-cobra-care-sheet
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).