Snakes · Care guide
Madagascarophis ssp.
Medium Madagascan snakes about 3–4 ft for a large female — rear-fanged, like to hiss, best for experienced keepers. Dry terrestrial vivarium 30″ × 18″ × 18″, probe 80–82 °F halfway down, humidity about 50% day / 70% night with a wet box, Shadedweller UV, and a rodent diet sized to girth.
At a glance
Key parameters for day-to-day husbandry. Full detail is in the sections below.
Daytime probe
80–82 °F
27–28 °C · halfway down
Night drop
~70 °F
~21 °C · evening set
Humidity
50→70%
Day / night · wet box
UVB
Shadedweller
Ceiling T5 · nocturnal
01 · Housing
A dry terrestrial setup with night humidity choice. Adult minimum is 30″ × 18″ × 18″ (or larger). Ground-level rocks, tunnels and fallen branches, wet box, artificial foliage, and a water bowl they can get into.
Adult minimum size
30″ W × 18″ D × 18″ H
Or larger (babies start smaller). Heat bulb, Shadedweller UV, dry substrate with wet box, ground-level enrichment, and a soak-capable water bowl.
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 30″ wide × 18″ tall (depth 18″) · hides · branches · tunnels · wet box · foliage · cool water bowl
Setup diagram · 1 of 2
Top-down view
Heat bulb & probe left–right positions · Recommended temps need this layout
Setup diagram · 2 of 2
Front view
Looking into the vivarium · bulb on the ceiling · probe hangs down the back
02 · Climate
Probe 80–82 °F halfway down the back, clear cool-to-warm gradient, Shadedweller UV, and humidity about 50% day / 70% night via wet box or light evening spray.
When the heat bulb and thermostat sensor are placed as instructed, a probe target of 80–82 °F (27–28 °C) creates this spread. The probe point is not the basking spot.
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Cool side | ~75 °F (~24 °C) |
| Probe point (thermostat probe target) | 80–82 °F (27–28 °C) |
| Middle | 84–86 °F (29–30 °C) |
| Warm side | 88–90 °F (31–32 °C) |
| Basking spot | ~95 °F (~35 °C) |
| Night drop | Reduce thermostat by ~70 °F (~21 °C) at night |
Climate diagram
Lighting setup
Shadedweller on the ceiling · heat dome on the warm side · match UV to heat
Always have the thermostat dial turned down before you plug it into the mains for the first time. Set the probe to 80–82 °F (27–28 °C) for daytime once the heat bulb and sensor are in place.
03 · Nutrition
Rodent feeders sized to girth. Settle first, then build a steady schedule — evening or overnight feeds suit most of these snakes.
At a glance
Guide as the snake grows — size relative to girth
| Prey | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 1 pinkie | 2× per week |
| 2 pinkies | 2× per week |
| 1 fluff | 2× per week |
| 2 fluffs | Every 5 days |
| 1 hop | Every 5 days |
| 1 small mouse | Every 7 days |
| 1 medium mouse | Every 7–10 days |
| 1 large mouse | Every 10–12 days |
| 1 extra-large mouse | Every 14 days |
Snakes may naturally refuse food at times — breeding season (males especially can go off feed for many months), and during shed (slough). The shed process can take 1–2 weeks; you may not notice the very beginning.
Speak to a member of staff if feeding concerns continue after settlement and shed cycles.
04 · Behaviour
Best for experienced keepers. They like to hiss but do not generally bite — settle and regular feeding come before handling.
Allow the snake to settle and begin eating regularly before handling — we recommend at least two successful feeds first. Adapting is stressful; early handling can make it worse.
Initial sessions: 5–10 minutes only. Lengthen as the snake becomes more comfortable.
Always wash or disinfect hands before and after handling to prevent bacteria transfer both ways.
Do not use aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure — the chemicals can harm reptiles.
05 · Welfare
Prevention starts with correct husbandry — heat, UV, hydration, and safe substrate working together.
Correct temperatures, hydration, and UV where used keep the immune system and gut working well — supporting essential physiological processes.
Pros
Cons
Questions
Adult minimum is a vivarium 30″ wide × 18″ tall × 18″ deep, or larger (babies start smaller). They are terrestrial — keep enrichment at ground level: rocks, tunnels and fallen branches, artificial foliage, a wet box with damp moss, and a water bowl large enough to get into. Dry substrate with night humidity via wet box or a light evening spray. Heat bulb with the ¼/¼ probe method (probe halfway down) and Shadedweller UV.
Set the thermostat probe to 80–82 °F (27–28 °C) by day with the heat bulb about one-quarter from one side and the probe one-quarter from the opposite side, hanging down the back about halfway down. That creates a gradient of about 75 °F cool, 84–86 °F middle, 88–90 °F warm, and around 95 °F under the basking bulb. At night turn the thermostat down to around 70 °F (21 °C). Daytime heat about 12 hours in winter and up to 16 hours in summer.
They are a drier species aiming for about 50% by day and 70% at night. Use a light evening spray, or a wet box with damp moss (they enjoy the wet box any time, especially in shed). Use de-chlorinated water (e.g. Reptisafe) or bottled water.
Although nocturnal, use a Shadedweller UV system designed for nocturnal and crepuscular reptiles (terrestrial or arboreal form). A T5 unit mounted on the ceiling works well — straight across or diagonal. Replace the tube every 12 months. Match UV on/off to heat (on morning, off evening).
They are rear-fanged and like to hiss, but do not generally bite. They are best kept by experienced keepers. If you are allergic to bee stings, the sheet suggests choosing a different snake.
Medium-sized snakes — about 3–4 ft for a large female.
Allow the snake to settle and begin eating regularly before handling — at least two successful feeds first. Early sessions 5–10 minutes only; lengthen as they become more comfortable. Wait about 24 hours after feeding before handling. Always wash or disinfect hands before and after. No aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure.
Young snakes twice a week while growing; sub-adults about every five days; adults about once a week. Prey size should match the snake’s girth (not head size). Feed in the evening or overnight; remove uneaten food by morning. Do not feed during shed — wait until after the shed is complete.
Next steps
Shop heating, housing and lighting on this site, browse livestock when available, or speak to our team for a tailored kit list.
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