Radiated rat snake (Coelognathus radiatus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Radiated rat snake (Coelognathus radiatus) (origin: South and South-East Asia). Adult size around 150–200 cm. Life expectancy 12–18 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Radiated rat snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
150×70×70 cm.
Radiated rat snake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 34 °C, at night 21–24 °C.
Radiated rat snake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Radiated rat snake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–18 years.
Radiated rat snake: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 34 °C
- Humidity
- 60–75 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 150×70×70 cm
- Substrate
- Coco humus and bark mulch, a cork hide, climbing branches, a water dish
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice and rats
- Feeding interval
- 1×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 150–200 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–18 years
- Origin
- South and South-East Asia
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- 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
Striking black rays behind the eye; when threatened it inflates its forebody. A tropical species without a winter rest. Usually nervous and quick to bite – handle with a hook.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Russian rat snake (Elaphe schrenckii) – Beginner
- Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) – Intermediate
- 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
- Green rat snake (Senticolis triaspis) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Radiated rat snake (Coelognathus radiatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×70×70 cm), substrate (Coco humus and bark mulch, a cork hide, climbing branches, a water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, 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: 5 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiated_ratsnake, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Coelognathus&species=radiatus, https://www.reptilecentre.com/pages/info-radiated-rat-snake-care-sheet, HKU Hong Kong Reptiles Coelognathus radiatus („Diurnal. Active and fast-moving snake.“); Ecology Asia Copperhead Racer (diurnal); thailandsnakes.com (meist tagsüber, gelegentlich nachts)
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).