Madagascar leaf-nosed snake — Care Sheet & Morphs

Q: How big does an adult Madagascar leaf-nosed snake get?

An adult Madagascar leaf-nosed snake typically measures 0.7–1 m.

Husbandry requirements

Madagascar leaf-nosed snake — origin: Endemic to Madagascar: dry deciduous forests of the west and north, as well as the edges of humid forests in the east. An arboreal species of the low and middle strata..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min20 °C

Cool side23–26 °C

Warm side28–30 °C

Basking spot30–32 °C

Provide a horizontal and vertical thermal gradient. A moderate warm spot (30-32 °C) via an offset lamp is enough: the species briefly exposes itself to filtered sunlight in the canopy but is not an intense sun-loving basker. Avoid any overheating. A natural nighttime drop to around 20-22 °C is beneficial.

Enclosure (adult)

90 × 45 × 120 cm

Vertical (arboreal) terrarium, densely planted, taller than long

Favour height and a dense clutter of thin horizontal/oblique branches, vines and foliage (real or artificial) where the animal can anchor itself and hide. Good ventilation is essential to avoid stagnant air. A single individual is preferable; cohabitation is a source of stress.

Humidity

60–80 %

A moderately humid environment with a day/night cycle. Let it dry out partly during the day, then raise it again by misting in the evening/at night. The humid-forest forms tolerate the upper end of the range; the dry-forest ones prefer the lower end. Permanent stagnant humidity promotes infections.

Substrate

Coco fibreOrchid bark / cypress mulchSphagnum / mossLeaf litter

The substrate mainly serves to regulate humidity, as the animal lives up high. An earthy, moisture-retaining mix, covered with dead leaves and moss, keeps humidity stable and looks natural. It can be bioactive.

UVB

Recommended

Low to moderate UVB recommended for a partly diurnal species: a low-power T5 tube in Ferguson zone 1-2 (UV index ~1.5-3 in the basking area), with numerous shaded areas. Providing vitamin D3/calcium remains useful. UVB is not strictly essential but improves long-term welfare.

Water source

Always available

Drinks mainly the droplets deposited by misting on the leaves and its body; mist daily (in the evening). Also provide a small dish of clean water. Good hydration is critical: dehydration is a frequent cause of death in recently imported animals.

Origin

Lamprophiidae (sous-famille Pseudoxyrhophiinae)

Endemic to Madagascar: dry deciduous forests of the west and north, as well as the edges of humid forests in the east. An arboreal species of the low and middle strata.

Feeding & health

Diet

Specialist saurophage (lizard predator) — Geckos and small diurnal/nocturnal lizards, sometimes frogs. In captivity, some individuals accept newborn rodents scented with lizard/gecko.

Feeding is VERY difficult in captivity: this is the main obstacle to keeping it. Many wild specimens refuse any substitute prey and waste away. Offer live or freshly killed prey of a suitable size, ambush-style within the vegetation. Feed at spaced intervals (the slow metabolism of an ambush predator).

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 5–10 eggs/young. Breeding is rarely achieved in captivity; data are limited. The cycle is probably stimulated by a drier/cooler season followed by a wet season. Incubation is estimated at around 60-90 days depending on temperature. Almost all animals in the trade are wild-caught, not captive-bred.

Health watch points

Anorexia / food refusal (a specialist lizard diet that is hard to reproduce)
Dehydration and weight loss, especially in recent imports
Heavy internal parasitism (nematodes, protozoa) common in wild-caught animals
Respiratory infections linked to stagnant air or poorly managed humidity
Stomatitis (mouth rot) and chronic stress due to handling or failed acclimation

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 0 documented gene for Madagascar leaf-nosed snake.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the madagascar leaf-nosed snake.

How big does an adult Madagascar leaf-nosed snake get?▾

An adult Madagascar leaf-nosed snake typically measures 0.7–1 m (adult total length. extreme sexual dimorphism: males (brown, more slender, with a tapered, pointed nasal appendage) and females (grey, more heavily built, with a flattened nasal appendage shaped like a serrated leaf) look like two different species.).

What temperature and humidity does a Madagascar leaf-nosed snake need?▾

A gradient of roughly 23–26 °C on the cool side to 28–30 °C on the warm side, with a basking spot of 30–32 °C. Humidity 60–80 %.

What does a Madagascar leaf-nosed snake eat?▾

Specialist saurophage (lizard predator): Geckos and small diurnal/nocturnal lizards, sometimes frogs. In captivity, some individuals accept newborn rodents scented with lizard/gecko..

Is the Madagascar leaf-nosed snake a good reptile for beginners?▾

Expert level. Calm and cryptic: spends most of its time motionless, hanging like a vine or a twig (mimicry). Little inclined to bite but MUST NOT be handled without necessity. VENOMOUS: an opisthoglyphous snake (rear fangs). The venom is not considered dangerous to humans (local pain, oedema and numbness have been reported), but any prolonged bite calls for caution and medical advice. Prone to stress; handling harms its health. Plan ahead: a lifespan of 10–15 yrs.

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