Fea's viper (Azemiops feae)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Fea's viper (Azemiops feae) (origin: Southern China, northern Vietnam, Myanmar – montane forest at 800–1,000 m). Adult size around 60–80 cm. Life expectancy 12–18 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Fea's viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×50 cm.
Fea's viper: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 18–24 °C (very cool), basking spot 25–26 °C, at night 13–17 °C.
Fea's viper: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not essential.
Fea's viper: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–18 years.
Fea's viper: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 18–24 °C (very cool)
- Night temperature
- 13–17 °C
- Basking spot
- 25–26 °C
- Humidity
- 70–85 %
- UVB
- Not essential
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×50 cm
- Substrate
- Damp soil with leaf litter and moss, hides near the ground
Feeding
- Food
- Small frozen-thawed mice
- Feeding interval
- adults every 14–21 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 60–80 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–18 years
- Origin
- Southern China, northern Vietnam, Myanmar – montane forest at 800–1,000 m
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal; rare and in need of protection
- Brumation
- A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 8–12 °C
- 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
A primitive viper with smooth scales and a strikingly marked head. The coolest-living venomous snake on this list – room temperature is already at the upper limit. Very rare in captivity.
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Related species
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What you need to start
To keep Fea's viper (Azemiops feae) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (Damp soil with leaf litter and moss, hides near the ground), 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: 8 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Reptile Database: Azemiops feae - Reproduction – https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Azemiops&species=feae, Wikipedia: Fea's viper, eierlegend, Bergklima Südchina/Vietnam – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azemiops_feae, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fea-Viper, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azemiops, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azemiops_feae
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).