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Twin-spotted ratsnake (Elaphe bimaculata)

Twin-spotted ratsnake (Elaphe bimaculata), typical appearance of the species

Snakes · Difficulty: Beginner

Key facts and care guidance for Twin-spotted ratsnake (Elaphe bimaculata) (origin: Central and eastern China: from eastern Sichuan via Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, north to Hebei – hills and mountains, forest edges, scrubland, farmland). Adult size around 60–100 cm, individual females up to 120 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.

Short answers

Twin-spotted ratsnake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 100×50×100 cm for one animal up to 1 m total length (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, ratsnakes: 1.0 × 0.5 × 1.0 of total length); large females and pairs from 120×60×120 cm.

Twin-spotted ratsnake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 30 °C, at night 18–20 °C.

Twin-spotted ratsnake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not essential.

Twin-spotted ratsnake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Twin-spotted ratsnake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature
22–28 °C
Night temperature
18–20 °C
Basking spot
30 °C
Humidity
60–70 %
UVB
Not essential

Enclosure

Minimum size
from 100×50×100 cm for one animal up to 1 m total length (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, ratsnakes: 1.0 × 0.5 × 1.0 of total length); large females and pairs from 120×60×120 cm
Substrate
Absorbent substrate (clay-sand mix, soil or bark mulch), climbing branches, several hides, a humid hide with moss, small water dish

Feeding

Food
Frozen-thawed mice (young animals pinkies, adults half-grown mice)
Feeding interval
adults every 7–14 days, juveniles weekly

Key facts

Adult size
60–100 cm, individual females up to 120 cm
Life expectancy
15–20 years
Origin
Central and eastern China: from eastern Sichuan via Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, north to Hebei – hills and mountains, forest edges, scrubland, farmland
Protection status
Not listed under CITES
Brumation
Winter rest of 2–3 months at about 10–15 °C (roughly December to February)
Cohabitation
Keeping it singly is the least stressful. Keeping a pair or a small group is possible with this species and is practised by keepers; females of similar size can be kept together well. The drawback is the risk of a feeding accident — if two animals grab the same prey, one can swallow the other along with it. So always feed separately, offer several hides and basking spots, and separate them if there is food refusal, bite injuries or weight loss.

Notes

A small Chinese ratsnake with two rows of blotches on its back, not to be confused with the European leopard snake (Zamenis situla). Needs a cool winter rest every year and small prey.

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Related species

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What you need to start

To keep Twin-spotted ratsnake (Elaphe bimaculata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 100×50×100 cm for one animal up to 1 m total length (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, ratsnakes: 1.0 × 0.5 × 1.0 of total length); large females and pairs from 120×60×120 cm), substrate (Absorbent substrate (clay-sand mix, soil or bark mulch), climbing branches, several hides, a humid hide with moss, small water dish), 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: 5 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Bartz 1989, Keeping and breeding Elaphe bimaculata, Litteratura Serpentium 9(6): 277–280 – Weibchen 90–100 cm, tag- und nachtaktiv, 25–30 °C, Winter 12–15 °C Dez.–Feb., kleine bis mittlere Mäuse, nervös, beißt kaum, 8 Eier, 28 °C, 25 Tage, Schlüpflinge 26–28 cm – https://www.snakesociety.nl/jaargangen/1989e/Litteratura%20Serpentium%209-6%20277-280%20Bartz,%20Keeping%20and%20breeding%20Elaphe%20bimaculata.pdf, Reptile Care Database (Obelgönner): Elaphe bimaculata – 70 cm, max. 120 cm, bis 20 Jahre, 80×50×60 cm, 22–28/18–20 °C, Spot 30 °C, 60–70 %, feuchtes Versteck, tagaktiv, Gruppen möglich, Winterruhe 3 Monate bei 11–13 °C, 3–10 Eier, ~40 Tage bei 26–27 °C, Schlüpflinge 30 cm – http://www.reptile-care.de/species/Serpentes/Colubridae/Elaphe-bimaculata.html, Wikipedia EN: Elaphe bimaculata – 60–80 cm, kleine Mäuse, versteckt, 3–10 Eier im späten Frühjahr, 35–48 Tage, Winterruhe 2–3 Monate – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaphe_bimaculata, Diekmann, Asiatische Kletternattern: Zweiflecknatter – 0–1000 m, Kulturfolger, Verwechslung mit E. dione, Weibchen kräftiger, Weibchen zusammen gehalten, wählerisch bei Frostfutter, Geruch der Jungtiere, in der Winterruhe inaktiv; Überwinterung und Temperaturen der Kletternattern – http://bimaculata.de/, Reptile Database: Elaphe bimaculata Schmidt 1925 – Namen, Verbreitung, Verwechslung mit E. dione, IUCN LC – https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Elaphe&species=bimaculata

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).