Long-nosed snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei)
Snakes · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for Long-nosed snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei) (origin: The south-western USA, northern Mexico). Adult size around 60–110 cm. Life expectancy 12–18 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Long-nosed snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×40 cm.
Long-nosed snake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–32 °C, basking spot 34 °C, at night 17–21 °C.
Long-nosed snake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Long-nosed snake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–18 years.
Long-nosed snake: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 17–21 °C
- Basking spot
- 34 °C
- Humidity
- 35–50 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×40 cm
- Substrate
- Sand-loam 8–12 cm for digging, flat stones, a cork hide
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice of a suitable size
- Feeding interval
- 1×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 60–110 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–18 years
- Origin
- The south-western USA, northern Mexico
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 10–15 °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
Boldly banded in red, black and white, yet entirely non-venomous. Nocturnal and burrowing – plan for deep substrate. Straightforward, but it needs a genuine winter rest.
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Related species
- Common egg-eating snake (Dasypeltis scabra) – Intermediate
- African house snake (Boaedon fuliginosus) – Beginner
- False water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) – Experts
- Spotted house snake (Boaedon maculatus) – Beginner
- Western whip snake (Hierophis viridiflavus) – Intermediate
- Striped house snake (Boaedon lineatus) – Beginner
- Smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis) – Expert
- Rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Long-nosed snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×40 cm), substrate (Sand-loam 8–12 cm for digging, flat stones, a cork hide), a heat source with a thermostat, 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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-nosed_snake, https://jrodriguez.faculty.unlv.edu/18.pdf, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Rhinocheilus&species=lecontei
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).