Snakes · Care guide
Euprepiophis mandarinus
Striking cool-forest colubrid from East Asia, about 3–4 ft. Glass tank 36″ × 18″ × 18″, cool-end probe 74 °F (cool ~72 · bask ~86), humidity about 60% day / over 75% night, terrestrial Shadedweller UV on mesh, coir and orchid bark, a large soak bowl, 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
74 °F
23 °C · cool end
Night drop
~10 °F
~64 °F · ~18 °C
Humidity
60→75%+
Day / night · spray 1–2×
UVB
Shadedweller
On mesh · terrestrial
01 · Housing
Small to medium cool-forest colubrids — generally glass or acrylic for their lower heat needs. Fill the ground with hides, branches and tunnels, humidity-retentive coir and orchid bark, and a large cool-side soak bowl. Ideal adult size is 36″ × 18″ × 18″.
Adult minimum size
36″ W × 18″ D × 18″ H
Glass or acrylic preferred for low heat needs (wooden vivariums also available). Heat dome and terrestrial Shadedweller UV on the mesh lid, coir and orchid bark, and a large cool-side soak bowl (lake-edge species).
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 36″ wide × 18″ tall (depth 18″) · mesh lid · hides · branches · tunnels · large soak bowl · coir & bark
Setup diagram · 1 of 2
Top-down view
Heat dome in a back corner · probe on the opposite cool end · recommended temps need this layout
Setup diagram · 2 of 2
Front view
Looking into the terrarium · dome on the mesh lid · probe at cool-end back corner
02 · Climate
Cool-end probe 74 °F with a gradient from about 72 °F cool to about 86 °F under the basking dome, terrestrial Shadedweller UV on the mesh, and humidity about 60% day / over 75% night.
When the heat bulb and thermostat sensor are placed as instructed, a probe target of 74 °F (23 °C) cool end · opposite heat creates this spread. The probe point is not the basking spot.
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Cool side | ~72 °F (~22 °C) |
| Probe point (thermostat probe target) | 74 °F (23 °C) |
| Basking area | ~86 °F (~30 °C) |
| Night drop | Reduce thermostat by ~64 °F (~18 °C) at night · ~10 °F drop |
Climate diagram
Lighting setup
Glass terrarium mesh lid — terrestrial Shadedweller sits on top of the lid · heat dome on the warm end · match UV to heat
Always have the thermostat dial turned down before you plug it into the mains for the first time. Set the cool-end probe to 74 °F (23 °C) for daytime once the heat dome 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 hognoses.
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
Patience first. Settling 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
Ideal adult size is a glass or acrylic tank 36″ wide × 18″ high × 18″ deep. Wooden vivariums are also options, but due to low temperature requirements they are generally kept in glass or acrylic. Use coir mixed with orchid bark, at least two hides (cool and hot), fill the ground with hides, branches and tunnels, artificial plants, and a cool-side water bowl large enough to soak or swim (lake-edge species). Heat dome on the mesh in a back corner; cool-end probe opposite; terrestrial Shadedweller UV on the mesh lid.
Place the heat dome on top of the mesh in a back corner and feed the thermostat probe through the opposite lid nodule so it rests at the cool-end back corner. Ideal daytime temperature at the probe point is 74 °F (23 °C), creating a gradient from about 72 °F at the coldest end to about 86 °F under the basking dome. At night reduce the thermostat by about 10 °F to around 64 °F (18 °C). Daytime heat about 12 hours in winter and up to 16 hours in summer. Recommended temps only apply with this placement.
They are a high-humidity snake. Daytime can be as low as 60% (the enclosure needs to dry out at times — constant damp can cause respiratory problems); rise to over 75% at night. Spray 1–2 times a day with the night spray most important; foggers or rain systems can help. Use a terrestrial Shadedweller UV system positioned on the mesh lid; replace tubes every 12 months. Snakes may access UV during daylight even when largely nocturnal.
Medium-sized snakes reaching about 3–4 ft. Endemic to cool forested regions of East Asia / India / China (Euprepiophis mandarinus). Renowned for bold pattern and colouration.
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) — aim for a mouse roughly as thick as the body. 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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