Rhinoceros rat snake (Gonyosoma boulengeri)
Snakes · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Rhinoceros rat snake (Gonyosoma boulengeri) (origin: Northern Vietnam, southern China – montane forest). Adult size around 100–160 cm, sehr schlank. Life expectancy 12–18 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Rhinoceros rat snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×60×120 cm.
Rhinoceros rat snake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 22–27 °C, at night 18–21 °C.
Rhinoceros rat snake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not essential.
Rhinoceros rat snake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–18 years.
Rhinoceros rat snake: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 22–27 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–21 °C
- Basking spot
- 30–33 °C (kleiner Sonnenplatz)
- Humidity
- 75–90 %
- UVB
- Not essential
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×60×120 cm
- Substrate
- Coco humus, dense planting, plenty of thin climbing branches
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice (small)
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 100–160 cm, sehr schlank
- Life expectancy
- 12–18 years
- Origin
- Northern Vietnam, southern China – montane forest
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A slight drop in winter
- 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 nocturnal, slender tree snake with a striking nasal appendage. Cooler and more humid than its tropical relatives. Wild-caught animals are tricky – prefer captive-bred ones.
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Related species
- Green bush rat snake (Gonyosoma prasinum) – Expert
- Red-tailed green rat snake (Gonyosoma oxycephalum) – Intermediate
- 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
What you need to start
To keep Rhinoceros rat snake (Gonyosoma boulengeri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×60×120 cm), substrate (Coco humus, dense planting, plenty of thin climbing branches), 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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonyosoma_boulengeri, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Gonyosoma&species=boulengeri, https://reptilesupply.com/blogs/snake-care-sheets/how-to-care-for-your-rhino-rat-snake, https://www.thebhs.org/publications/the-herpetological-bulletin/issue-number-139-spring-2017/989-02-captive-husbandry-and-breeding-of-i-gonyosoma-boulengeri-i/file
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).