Persian rat snake (Zamenis persicus)

Short answers

Persian rat snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 110×55×110 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, formerly Elaphe); adults like to climb, taller is better.

Persian rat snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–24 °C, basking spot 28–30 °C (local hot spot), at night 18–20 °C.

Persian rat snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential.

Persian rat snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: over 20 years is possible.

Persian rat snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–24 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

28–30 °C (local hot spot)

Humidity

50–70 % (a forest dweller; a humid hide, but never permanently wet)

UVB

UVB not essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 110×55×110 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, formerly Elaphe); adults like to climb, taller is better

Substrate

Forest humus or coco humus with climbing branches; a damp hide with sphagnum moss

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed mice matched to their girth

Feeding interval

adults every 7–14 days, juveniles every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 90 cm, max. ~110 cm

Life expectancy

over 20 years is possible

Origin

Northern Iran, the Caspian coastal region, Azerbaijan (the Hyrcanian forests)

Protection status

Non-European, not protected under CITES, EU law or German nature conservation law; no registration duty in Germany

Brumation

A cooler winter spell of about 8–12 weeks at about 10–14 °C is recommended (a temperate origin, and it helps breeding)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – territorial, and they can be intolerant or aggressive towards each other; put them together only temporarily for breeding

Notes

A rarely kept, less well documented species; some figures come from a few keeper reports. Because of its forest origin it needs higher humidity and a slightly damp hide – but permanent wetness leads to intestinal inflammation. Diurnal and fond of climbing.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) – Intermediate
• Leopard snake (Zamenis situla) – Intermediate
• Russian rat snake (Elaphe schrenckii) – Beginner
• Baird's rat snake (Pantherophis bairdi) – Beginner
• Red bamboo rat snake (Oreocryptophis porphyraceus) – Intermediate
• Twin-spotted ratsnake (Elaphe bimaculata) – Beginner
• Western fox snake (Pantherophis vulpinus) – Beginner
• Rhinoceros rat snake (Gonyosoma boulengeri) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Persian rat snake (Zamenis persicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 110×55×110 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, formerly Elaphe); adults like to climb, taller is better), substrate (Forest humus or coco humus with climbing branches; a damp hide with sphagnum moss), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.