Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) (origin: Great Plains und Vorland der Rocky Mountains von Südwest-Kanada bis Texas und Nordmexiko — Grasland mit Felsen). Adult size around 90–120 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Prairie rattlesnake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 150×80×90 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rattlesnakes).
Prairie rattlesnake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–31 °C, basking spot 34–37 °C, at night 16–20 °C.
Prairie rattlesnake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Prairie rattlesnake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Prairie rattlesnake: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–31 °C
- Night temperature
- 16–20 °C
- Basking spot
- 34–37 °C
- Humidity
- 35–50 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 150×80×90 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rattlesnakes)
- Substrate
- Sand-loam with stones and grass structure
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 90–120 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- Great Plains und Vorland der Rocky Mountains von Südwest-Kanada bis Texas und Nordmexiko — Grasland mit Felsen
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal; a permit or notification is required, varying by German state
- Brumation
- A winter rest of 10–12 weeks at 8–12 °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
A temperate prairie species with a pronounced need for a winter rest. In the wild they overwinter en masse, but keep them singly all the same.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) – Expert
- Ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi) – Expert
- Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) – Expert
- Red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) – Expert
- Neotropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus) – Expert
- Black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) – Expert
- Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) – Expert
- Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 150×80×90 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rattlesnakes)), substrate (Sand-loam with stones and grass structure), 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_viridis, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Crotalus&species=viridis
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).