Red-necked keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Red-necked keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus) (origin: South-East Asia, southern China). Adult size around 70–120 cm. Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Red-necked keelback: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×50 cm.
Red-necked keelback: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–29 °C, basking spot 31 °C, at night 19–22 °C.
Red-necked keelback: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Red-necked keelback: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Red-necked keelback: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 24–29 °C
- Night temperature
- 19–22 °C
- Basking spot
- 31 °C
- Humidity
- 70–85 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×50 cm
- Substrate
- Damp substrate, a large water basin
Feeding
- Food
- Frogs or amphibian substitutes, fish
- Feeding interval
- adults every 7–10 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 70–120 cm
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- South-East Asia, southern China
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a slow-acting coagulant venom, with fatalities documented; a dangerous animal
- 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
It was long traded as a harmless water snake – in fact severe and fatal envenomations are documented. The effect sets in with a delay. An amphibian eater, strongly tied to water.
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Related species
- Tiger keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus) – 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 Red-necked keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (Damp substrate, a large water basin), 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: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothals-Wassernatter, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Rhabdophis&species=subminiatus
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).