Hagen's pit viper (Trimeresurus hageni)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Hagen's pit viper (Trimeresurus hageni) (origin: Südthailand, Malaiische Halbinsel, Sumatra und Bangka — tropischer Tieflandwald). Adult size around 90–130 cm. Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Hagen's pit viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 130×65×100 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, arboreal bamboo pit vipers).
Hagen's pit viper: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–29 °C, basking spot 30 °C, at night 21–23 °C.
Hagen's pit viper: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Weak UVB recommended.
Hagen's pit viper: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Hagen's pit viper: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–29 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–23 °C
- Basking spot
- 30 °C
- Humidity
- 75–90 %
- UVB
- Weak UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 130×65×100 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, arboreal bamboo pit vipers)
- Substrate
- Coco humus, sturdy climbing branches, dense planting
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 90–130 cm
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- Südthailand, Malaiische Halbinsel, Sumatra und Bangka — tropischer Tieflandwald
- 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
A large, powerful rainforest species with a white eye stripe. Arboreal and nocturnal like all Trimeresurus.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Gumprecht's green pit viper (Trimeresurus gumprechti) – Expert
- Island pit viper (Trimeresurus insularis) – Expert
- Mangrove pit viper (Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus) – Expert
- Sumatran pit viper (Trimeresurus sumatranus) – Expert
- White-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) – Expert
- Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
- Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
- Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Hagen's pit viper (Trimeresurus hageni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 130×65×100 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, arboreal bamboo pit vipers)), 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: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Trimeresurus&species=hageni, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimeresurus_hageni, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimeresurus
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).