Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) (origin: Southern and eastern Africa – tree savannah). Adult size around 60–130 cm total length, exceptionally up to 168 cm; very slender. Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Savanna vine snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 150×75×150 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, bird snakes).
Savanna vine snake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 20–22 °C.
Savanna vine snake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Savanna vine snake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Savanna vine snake: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 20–22 °C
- Basking spot
- 32 °C
- Humidity
- 55–70 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 150×75×150 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, bird snakes)
- Substrate
- Coco humus, thin climbing branches, planting
Feeding
- Food
- Lizard substitutes, chicks, small frozen-thawed mice
- Feeding interval
- adults every 7–10 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 60–130 cm total length, exceptionally up to 168 cm; very slender
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- Southern and eastern Africa – tree savannah
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – haemotoxic with delayed effects, and no antivenom is available; 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
Like the boomslang it has a slow-acting coagulopathic venom – but here there is NO specific antivenom. Extremely slender; it mimics a liana.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- 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
- Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) – Expert
- Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 150×75×150 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, bird snakes)), substrate (Coco humus, thin climbing branches, planting), 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: 30 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Gutachten Mindestanforderungen Reptilien (BML 1997), Wikipedia DE, Wikipedia EN, goruma.de, reptile-database.reptarium.cz
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).