Tiger keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Tiger keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus) (origin: Japan, Korea, China, the Russian Far East). Adult size around 60–110 cm. Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Tiger keelback: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×50 cm.
Tiger keelback: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 30 °C, at night 16–20 °C.
Tiger keelback: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Tiger keelback: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Tiger keelback: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 22–28 °C
- Night temperature
- 16–20 °C
- Basking spot
- 30 °C
- Humidity
- 65–80 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×50 cm
- Substrate
- Damp substrate, a large water basin, hides
Feeding
- Food
- Frogs or amphibian substitutes, fish
- Feeding interval
- adults every 7–10 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 60–110 cm
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- Japan, Korea, China, the Russian Far East
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a rear-fanged snake with a slow-acting coagulant venom and documented fatalities; it also has nuchal glands with a toxic secretion
- Brumation
- A winter rest of 10–14 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
Regularly underestimated: rear-positioned fangs, but severe coagulation disorders are possible. It also accumulates toxin in nuchal glands from the toads it eats. An amphibian eater – clarify the food supply in advance.
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Related species
- Red-necked keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus) – 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 Tiger keelback (Rhabdophis tigrinus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (Damp substrate, a large water basin, hides), 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/Tigernatter, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Rhabdophis&species=tigrinus
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).