North Philippine temple pit viper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for North Philippine temple pit viper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus) (origin: The Philippines, Borneo, Sulawesi). Adult size around 60–95 cm. Life expectancy 12–18 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
North Philippine temple pit viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?
80×60×100 cm.
North Philippine temple pit viper: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–29 °C, basking spot 30 °C, at night 21–23 °C.
North Philippine temple pit viper: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Weak UVB recommended.
North Philippine temple pit viper: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–18 years.
North Philippine temple pit viper: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 24–29 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–23 °C
- Basking spot
- 30 °C
- Humidity
- 75–90 %
- UVB
- Weak UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 80×60×100 cm
- Substrate
- Coco humus, horizontal branches, planting
Feeding
- Food
- Small frozen-thawed mice
- Feeding interval
- adults every 14–21 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 60–95 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–18 years
- Origin
- The Philippines, Borneo, Sulawesi
- 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
Long treated as a colour form of T. wagleri. The same care: a quiet, site-faithful arboreal species.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Wagler's pit viper (Tropidolaemus wagleri) – Expert
- 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
What you need to start
To keep North Philippine temple pit viper (Tropidolaemus subannulatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×60×100 cm), substrate (Coco humus, horizontal branches, 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: 8 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Reptile Database: Tropidolaemus subannulatus - Reproduction – https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Tropidolaemus&species=subannulatus, Wikipedia: Tropidolaemus subannulatus, ovoviviparous – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropidolaemus_subannulatus, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropidolaemus, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropidolaemus_subannulatus, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Tropidolaemus&species=subannulatus
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).