Geay's hognose snake (Leioheterodon geayi)

Short answers

Geay's hognose snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 130×65×65 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Madagascar colubrids).

Geay's hognose snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 35 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Geay's hognose snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

Geay's hognose snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Geay's hognose snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

35 °C

Humidity

50–65 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 130×65×65 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Madagascar colubrids)

Substrate

Sand-loam 10–15 cm for digging, a cork hide, a water dish

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed mice, occasionally eggs

Feeding interval

1×/week

Key facts

Adult size

90–130 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Southern Madagascar – dry forest

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

A cooler dry 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

The smallest of the three Madagascan hognoses, and a very active digger. Diurnal and decidedly keen on food – work with a hook or forceps when feeding.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Blonde hognose snake (Leioheterodon modestus) – Intermediate
• Malagasy giant hognose (Leioheterodon madagascariensis) – Intermediate
• Mexican hognose snake (Heterodon kennerlyi) – Beginner
• Eastern hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) – Intermediate
• Southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus) – Intermediate
• Tricolor hognose snake (Xenodon pulcher) – Intermediate
• Western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) – Beginner
• Common egg-eating snake (Dasypeltis scabra) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Geay's hognose snake (Leioheterodon geayi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 130×65×65 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Madagascar colubrids)), substrate (Sand-loam 10–15 cm for digging, a cork hide, a water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.