Ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi) (origin: The montane forests of Arizona and New Mexico, northern Mexico). Adult size around 45–65 cm (small). Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Ridge-nosed rattlesnake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×50 cm.
Ridge-nosed rattlesnake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 30–33 °C, at night 15–19 °C.
Ridge-nosed rattlesnake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Ridge-nosed rattlesnake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Ridge-nosed rattlesnake: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 22–28 °C
- Night temperature
- 15–19 °C
- Basking spot
- 30–33 °C
- Humidity
- 50–65 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×50 cm
- Substrate
- A damper montane forest floor: soil, leaf litter, rock crevices
Feeding
- Food
- Small frozen-thawed mice
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 45–65 cm (small)
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- The montane forests of Arizona and New Mexico, northern Mexico
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal; protected in parts of the USA
- 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 small montane species, cooler and more humid than the desert rattlesnakes. Very retiring, and it rarely bites.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) – Expert
- Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) – Expert
- Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) – 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 Ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (A damper montane forest floor: soil, leaf litter, rock crevices), 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/Crotalus_willardi, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Crotalus&species=willardi
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).