Hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) (origin: Sri Lanka, south-western India). Adult size around 30–55 cm (small). Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Hump-nosed pit viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?
80×50×50 cm.
Hump-nosed pit viper: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–29 °C, basking spot 30–31 °C, at night 20–23 °C.
Hump-nosed pit viper: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not essential.
Hump-nosed pit viper: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Hump-nosed pit viper: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 24–29 °C
- Night temperature
- 20–23 °C
- Basking spot
- 30–31 °C
- Humidity
- 70–85 %
- UVB
- Not essential
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 80×50×50 cm
- Substrate
- Damp forest floor with leaf litter
Feeding
- Food
- Small frozen-thawed mice; lizard substitutes for juveniles
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 30–55 cm (small)
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- Sri Lanka, south-western India
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – medically relevant despite its small size (kidney damage); a dangerous animal
- 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 small, inconspicuous pit viper with an upturned snout tip. It is underestimated because of its size – bites can cause severe kidney damage.
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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 Hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×50×50 cm), substrate (Damp forest floor with leaf litter), 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: Hypnale hypnale - Reproduction – https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Hypnale&species=hypnale, Wikipedia: Hump-nosed pit viper, ovoviviparous – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnale_hypnale, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indische_Nasenotter, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnale_hypnale, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Hypnale&species=hypnale
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).