Gold's tree cobra (Pseudohaje goldii)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Gold's tree cobra (Pseudohaje goldii) (origin: West and Central Africa – rainforest). Adult size around 200–270 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Gold's tree cobra: How big does the enclosure need to be?
150×80×150 cm (height).
Gold's tree cobra: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–29 °C, basking spot 30–32 °C, at night 21–24 °C.
Gold's tree cobra: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Weak UVB recommended.
Gold's tree cobra: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Gold's tree cobra: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–29 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 30–32 °C
- Humidity
- 70–85 %
- UVB
- Weak UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 150×80×150 cm (height)
- Substrate
- Coco humus, sturdy climbing branches, dense planting
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice, amphibian substitutes
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 200–270 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- West and Central Africa – rainforest
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal under German state law
- Brumation
- None
- 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
An arboreal cobra with very large eyes, and nocturnal. Extremely fast and hard to handle; rare in captivity. It needs height rather than floor area.
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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 Gold's tree cobra (Pseudohaje goldii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×150 cm (height)), substrate (Coco humus, sturdy climbing branches, dense planting), 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: Pseudohaje goldii - Reproduction – https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Pseudohaje&species=goldii, Wikipedia: Gold's tree cobra, eierlegend – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudohaje_goldii, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudohaje_goldii, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudohaje, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudohaje_goldii
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).