Rhino Rat Snake

Looks how to spot one

scales

Smooth, glossy scales cover a slender, arboreal body. Adults are lime to olive green with white and black stippling, while juveniles are grey-brown. A dark stripe runs from the snout through the eye to the jaw. The most distinctive feature is the elongated, pointed rostral appendage on the snout, like a tiny horn.12

Personality what they are like

Captive-bred rhino rat snakes are generally calm and tolerate gentle handling, but they are better suited as display animals than as pets for frequent handling. They may be shy at first and prefer to be picked up from below rather than grabbed.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Arboreal and semi-nocturnal; they enjoy climbing and swimming. Provide plenty of branches and a large water bowl for soaking. They are active both day and night.12

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal grooming; ensure clean water for soaking and mist the enclosure to maintain humidity. Shedding usually occurs without issue if humidity is adequate. Spot-clean the enclosure regularly.2

Home where they are happiest

A minimum enclosure size of 5 ft long by 2.5 ft wide by 2.5 ft tall for an adult. Provide branches for climbing, a large water bowl for swimming, and a humid hide. Temperature gradient: 24-29°C (75-85°F) with a basking spot around 32°C (90°F). Humidity 60-80%. Not venomous and not protected; legal to keep in most countries, but check local laws.21

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Carnivorous; feed whole prey such as rodents and quail chicks. Hatchlings may prefer fish or tadpoles initially. Feed hatchlings every 5-7 days, juveniles every 7-14 days, adults every 14 days. Prey should be roughly the width of the snake at its thickest point. Use frozen-thawed prey for safety.24

Company who they like around

Solitary; cohabitation is not recommended as males may harass females. They do not require companionship and are best housed alone.2

The story where it all began

The rhino rat snake was first described scientifically in 1897 by Mocquard. It remained very rare in captivity until the early 2000s, when the first documented imports from China arrived in 2005. During the late 2000s and 2010s it gained popularity among reptile enthusiasts. The first European zoo breeding occurred at ZSL London Zoo in 2008. Today it is still less common than many pet snakes, but captive breeding has made it more available.14

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN

Listed as Least Concern (2012 assessment)1

ITIS

Taxonomic serial number 10828475