Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus)

Short answers

Montpellier snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 200×100×100 cm for one adult animal (very large, fast and active); small breeding tanks are unsuitable for permanent keeping.

Montpellier snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Montpellier snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (diurnal, sun-loving; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5).

Montpellier snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 15–20 years (not firmly documented).

Montpellier snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C

Humidity

40–60 % (dry)

UVB

UVB needed (diurnal, sun-loving; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5)

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 200×100×100 cm for one adult animal (very large, fast and active); small breeding tanks are unsuitable for permanent keeping

Substrate

A sand-loam mix, dry, with rock structures and hides

Feeding

Food

In the wild mainly lizards, also snakes, small mammals and birds; in captivity they can be switched to mice or rats

Feeding interval

adults ~1×/week

Key facts

Adult size

often 100–160 cm, can reach ~200 cm (max. ~2.55 m) – the largest European snake

Life expectancy

approx. 15–20 years (not firmly documented)

Origin

South-western Europe (the Iberian Peninsula, southern France), north-western Africa, east to the Near East

Protection status

IUCN "Least Concern"; protected in several countries; not listed under CITES; legal proof of origin required

Brumation

A winter rest from November to January or February at ~10–15 °C (for breeding)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – territorial, very large and fast, and it eats snakes too (a risk of cannibalism). Only for supervised breeding

Notes

An opisthoglyphous, weakly venomous rear-fanged colubrid – a bite can cause local swelling and nausea, usually not life-threatening to humans, but take care. Very fast, nervous and defensive (it hisses loudly). It needs a very large terrarium; a lizard eater whose switch to other food is often difficult. Only for very experienced keepers.

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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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 200×100×100 cm for one adult animal (very large, fast and active); small breeding tanks are unsuitable for permanent keeping), substrate (A sand-loam mix, dry, with rock structures and hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.