False water cobra — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

False water cobra — origin: Tropical and subtropical South America: the Amazon basin and the wetlands of the Pantanal (Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina, Uruguay)..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C

Cool side24–26 °C

Warm side28–30 °C

Basking spot32–35 °C

A diurnal, heliophilic species: a genuine basking hot spot (32-35 °C) is required, with a marked thermal gradient. A nighttime drop down to ~22 °C is acceptable. Screen off any heat source with mesh to prevent burns.

Enclosure (adult)

180 × 90 × 90 cm

Large-volume semi-aquatic terrarium, sturdy and perfectly lockable (a strong, active species and an accomplished escape artist).

Minimum dimensions for one adult; larger is always better. Provide a large water area allowing full swimming and bathing, along with a dry land section. The very high metabolism produces abundant liquid waste: favour a setup that is easy to clean and disinfect.

Humidity

60–80 %

A humid tropical environment; the large water area and a moisture-retaining substrate help maintain the humidity. Ensure good ventilation to avoid stagnant air and skin problems.

Substrate

Coco fibre / coco soilCypress bark (cypress mulch)Sphagnum moss for the humid areas

Choose an absorbent substrate that is easy to remove and replace given the large volume of waste. Avoid dusty or mouldy substrates (respiratory and skin risk).

UVB

Recommended

Recommended for this diurnal, basking species: a moderate UVB tube (approx. 5-7%, UVI 2-3 at the hot spot), with shaded areas available.

Water source

Always available

A large basin of clean water allowing full immersion and swimming. The animal defecates frequently in the water: change it very regularly (often daily) to prevent skin and bacterial infections.

Origin

Dipsadidae

Tropical and subtropical South America: the Amazon basin and the wetlands of the Pantanal (Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina, Uruguay).

Feeding & health

Diet

Generalist carnivore — Fish, amphibians, rodents, chicks

Voracious appetite and fast digestion. A varied diet is ideal; do not rely on fish alone (thiaminase can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency). Watch the weight: a species prone to obesity if overfed. Feed with long tongs and caution because of the strong feeding response and the venom.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 10–35 eggs/young. Can lay very large clutches (sometimes up to ~40 eggs). Incubation of about 55-65 days at 27-29 °C. A winter cooling/rest cycle promotes breeding.

Health watch points

Respiratory infections (inadequate temperature or ventilation)
Necrotising dermatitis / scale rot (blister disease) linked to soiled water or an overly humid, dirty environment
Obesity due to the voracious appetite and overfeeding
Internal parasitism, frequent in wild-caught specimens
Thermal burns from contact with unprotected heat sources

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 4 documented genes and 2 named combos for False water cobra.

Hypo / Lavender lavenderInc.d
Leucistic lucyRec
Albino (T-) amelanisticRec
Axanthic aneryRec

Named combos — 2 documented combined morphs

GhostSnow

Pairing calculator

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False water cobra × False water cobra

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the false water cobra.

Is the false water cobra dangerous, and who can keep one?▾

Yes, it's a venomous opisthoglyphous species: rear fangs connected to a Duvernoy's gland, and a prolonged bite can cause significant swelling, pain and bruising. Keeping one is therefore best left to an experienced keeper able to handle a lively snake with a powerful feeding response, and local regulations on venomous species should always be checked before any acquisition.

How large does an adult false water cobra grow?▾

It's a large colubrid, reaching 180 to 250 cm in length as an adult. Females are noticeably larger and heavier-bodied than males, and can exceptionally exceed 250 cm, approaching 275-300 cm.

What size terrarium is needed for an adult of this size?▾

A large-volume semi-aquatic terrarium is needed, at least 180 x 90 x 90 cm, sturdy and perfectly lockable, since this is a strong, active species and an accomplished escape artist. Provide a large water area for full swimming and bathing plus a dry land section, in a setup that's easy to clean given the abundant liquid waste produced by its very high metabolism.

What temperature gradient and basking spot should be maintained?▾

This diurnal, sun-loving species needs a genuine basking hot spot of 32-35 °C, with a warm side at 28-30 °C and a cool side at 24-26 °C; a nighttime drop to around 22 °C is acceptable. Any heat source must be screened off with mesh to prevent burns.

What humidity level should be targeted in the terrarium?▾

A humid tropical atmosphere of 60 to 80%, helped by the large water area and a moisture-retaining substrate. Good ventilation remains essential to avoid stagnant air, which can cause skin problems.

What does the false water cobra eat, and how often?▾

It's a generalist carnivore that will take fish, amphibians, rodents and chicks, with a voracious appetite and fast digestion. A varied diet is preferable to a fish-only diet, since excess thiaminase can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency; feeding should always be done with long tongs, carefully, because of the powerful feeding response and the venom.

Is this species prone to obesity?▾

Yes, its voracious appetite makes it a frequent candidate for excess weight if overfed. Its weight should be checked regularly and prey rationed rather than giving in to its reputation as a big eater.

Does it need UVB lighting?▾

A moderate UVB tube, around 5-7% with a UV index of 2 to 3 at the basking spot, is recommended for this diurnal species which readily basks in the sun. Shaded areas should remain available so it can retreat from the light when needed.

How should the water area be managed day to day?▾

The pool must be large, clean and deep enough for full immersion and swimming. Since the animal frequently defecates in it, the water needs to be changed very regularly, often daily, to prevent skin and bacterial infections.

How does the false water cobra reproduce?▾

It's an oviparous species capable of laying very large clutches, from 10 to 35 eggs, sometimes up to about forty. Incubation lasts around 55 to 65 days at 27-29 °C, and a winter cooling cycle promotes breeding.

What health problems are most common in this species?▾

The most common issues are respiratory infections from inadequate temperature or ventilation, necrotising dermatitis or scale rot linked to soiled water or an overly humid environment, and obesity from overfeeding. Internal parasites are common in wild-caught specimens, and thermal burns occur when heat sources are left unprotected.

How long does a false water cobra live, and is it a serious commitment?▾

Its lifespan ranges from 15 to 20 years in captivity with good care, with some individuals even exceeding that. It's therefore a long-term commitment, befitting a large, active and venomous snake that demands constant space and vigilance.

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