Neotropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Neotropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus) (origin: Südamerika von Kolumbien und den Guyanas über Brasilien bis Paraguay, Uruguay und Nordargentinien — Savanne, Cerrado, Caatinga). Adult size around 120–160 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Neotropical rattlesnake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 200×80×120 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rattlesnakes).
Neotropical rattlesnake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 35–38 °C, at night 20–23 °C.
Neotropical rattlesnake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Neotropical rattlesnake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Neotropical rattlesnake: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 20–23 °C
- Basking spot
- 35–38 °C
- Humidity
- 40–55 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 200×80×120 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rattlesnakes)
- Substrate
- Sand-loam with tussocks of grass and hides
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice and rats
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 120–160 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- Südamerika von Kolumbien und den Guyanas über Brasilien bis Paraguay, Uruguay und Nordargentinien — Savanne, Cerrado, Caatinga
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – strongly neurotoxic (crotoxin), of major medical significance; a dangerous animal
- Brumation
- A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks
- 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 neurotoxic venom with paralysis – the course of a bite differs from that of North American rattlesnakes. Very defensive.
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Related species
- Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) – Expert
- Ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi) – Expert
- Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) – Expert
- Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) – Expert
- Red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) – Expert
- Black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) – Expert
- Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) – Expert
- Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Neotropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 200×80×120 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rattlesnakes)), substrate (Sand-loam with tussocks of grass 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.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 24 September 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotalus_durissus, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Crotalus&species=durissus
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).