Crotalus durissus

Secured terrestrial terrarium with a lockable opening (imperative for a venomous snake)

VENOMOUS SAFETY: fully escape-proof enclosure, key lock, no gaps. Provide a restraint refuge box (shift box) allowing the animal to be isolated for any maintenance without contact. Two solid hides (warm side and cool side) and a few sturdy low branches. Keeping is subject to legal authorisation (see Sources).

Rather dry but not desert conditions. Provide a humid hide during sheds and light occasional misting; avoid a soaked substrate that promotes infections.

A dry substrate that is easy to inspect and to remove entirely facilitates the remote maintenance of a venomous animal. Avoid fine, dusty substrates that may be ingested or irritate the respiratory tract.

Beneficial without being strictly mandatory if the diet is balanced. Low to moderate UVB (Ferguson zone 2-3, low-power T5 tube) reproduces its natural sun exposure and supports metabolism. Always provide shaded hides.

Clean water available at all times in a large, stable, heavy container; renew regularly. The bowl is handled with the animal isolated in the shift box.

South America: savannas, cerrado, caatinga and semi-arid open areas, from Colombia and Venezuela down to Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay. Generally warm and dry habitat.

Carnivore (rodents) — Mice and rats of appropriate size, offered PRE-KILLED (thawed) with long tongs

The venom is specialised to kill mammals quickly. Adults fed every 10-14 days, juveniles roughly weekly. Never offer live prey and always feed with a tube/tongs for safety.

Breeding generally triggered by a cool brumation of 2-3 months followed by warming. The female gives birth to neonates that are already fully venomous and independent: take extra care when handling the young.

• Respiratory infections (draughts, conditions too humid or too cold)
• Stomatitis (mouth rot)
• Dysecdysis (incomplete shedding, particularly of the tail tip and the rattle)
• Mites and internal parasites
• Thermal burns due to poorly shielded heating equipment