ReptiNode Species › Aesculapian snake
English
Sign up
Species profile · Colubridae

Zamenis longissimus

Complete care sheet and morph genetics registry for the aesculapian snake — husbandry parameters, diet, breeding and pairing calculator.

Couleuvre d'EsculapeÄskulapnatterSerpent d'EsculapeMedical Snake
Adult size
1.4–2 m
Lifespan
20–25 yrs
Difficulty
Intermediate
Temperament
Diurnal
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Oviparous
01

Husbandry requirements

Aesculapian snake — origin: Central and southern Europe (from France and Italy to the Balkans, Turkey and the Caucasus); relict populations further north (Germany, Czech Republic) and introduced populations in the United Kingdom. A temperate-climate species..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min18 °C
Cool side20–24 °C
Warm side26–28 °C
Basking spot30–32 °C

Diurnal, heliophilous species that thermoregulates by basking: provide a genuine hot spot (30-32 °C) under a spot lamp, with a gradient down to the cool side. At night it can drop to 16-20 °C. A winter brumation at 8-12 °C for 2-3 months is recommended (rest and triggering of reproduction).

Enclosure (adult)
150 × 60 × 100 cm

A tall, height-oriented terrarium (arboreal), well ventilated, with branches and climbing areas

Minimum dimensions for an adult; bigger is always preferable for this active, climbing species. Provide sturdy branches, bark and hides both up high and at ground level. WARNING: species PROTECTED in Europe (Bern Convention Appendix II, Habitats Directive Annex IV; fully protected in France). Capture and taking from the wild are prohibited: acquire only captive-bred individuals with documentation. Not listed under CITES.

Humidity
50–70 %

Moderate humidity. A slight increase or occasional misting during shedding periods. Avoid a stagnant, waterlogged environment.

Substrate
Aspen shavingsPine/orchid barkCoconut fiber / topsoilSoil-shavings mix

Absorbent substrate allowing light digging. Keep it generally dry with a more humid zone; a permanently waterlogged substrate promotes scale rot and infections.

UVB
Recommended

Beneficial. A diurnal species that readily basks in the sun: offer low to moderate UVB (T5 tube 5-6%, Ferguson zone 2-3) placed over the hot spot, with accessible shaded areas.

Water source
Always available

A large bowl of clean water available at all times for drinking and bathing, particularly useful before shedding.

Origin
Colubridae

Central and southern Europe (from France and Italy to the Balkans, Turkey and the Caucasus); relict populations further north (Germany, Czech Republic) and introduced populations in the United Kingdom. A temperate-climate species.

02

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore (essentially a rodent-eater) — Rodents (mice, young rats), occasionally birds/chicks and eggs

A constrictor. Thawed prey sized to the snake's girth. Adult: 1 prey item every 7 to 14 days; juveniles more often. Risk of obesity in the event of overfeeding.

Breeding
Oviparous

Clutch 5–11 eggs/young. Incubation of about 55-65 days at 25-28 °C. A winter cooling period (brumation) is generally necessary to trigger reproduction.

Health watch points
  • Respiratory infections (unsuitable temperatures/ventilation)
  • Dysecdysis (difficult sheds) linked to too-low humidity
  • Scale rot / 'blister disease' on overly humid substrate
  • Snake mites (Ophionyssus natricis)
  • Obesity from overfeeding and lack of exercise
03

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 3 documented genes for Aesculapian snake.

  • Albino (T-) amelanisticRec
  • Hypomelanistic diluteRec
  • Genetic Black (Melanistic) hypermelanisticInc.d
04

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

🧬

Aesculapian snake × Aesculapian snake

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

GeneParent AParent B
Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.
05

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the aesculapian snake.

Can you catch or buy a wild Aesculapian snake?▾
No, absolutely not: it is a fully protected species in Europe (Bern Convention Appendix II, Habitats Directive Annex IV) and in France in particular. Catching or taking specimens from the wild is prohibited; only captive-bred individuals accompanied by supporting paperwork can be acquired legally.
How big does an adult Aesculapian snake get?▾
It is a medium to large species, typically 140 to 160 cm in total length, with documented records of up to around 200 cm. The body is long, slender and muscular, with smooth, faintly keeled scales.
What kind of terrarium does it need, given that it is a good climber?▾
Provide a tall terrarium of at least 150 x 60 x 100 cm for an adult, with sturdy branches and cork bark for climbing. This outstanding climbing snake needs hiding spots both up high and at ground level, and bigger is always better for such an active species.
What temperatures and basking spot should you provide?▾
This is a heliophilic species that thermoregulates actively: offer a clear basking spot of 30 to 32°C under a lamp, a cool side of 20 to 24°C and a warm ambient side of 26 to 28°C. At night the temperature can drop to 16-20°C without any problem.
Does the Aesculapian snake need brumation?▾
Yes, a winter rest period at 8-12°C for 2 to 3 months is recommended: it promotes physiological rest and generally triggers reproduction. This is an important point to plan for if you are considering breeding this species.
What substrate and humidity should you maintain?▾
An absorbent substrate such as aspen shavings, pine bark or a soil-shavings mix works well, kept generally dry with a more humid zone. Aim for a moderate humidity of 50 to 70%, avoiding any waterlogged substrate that would encourage scale rot.
What does the Aesculapian snake eat and how often?▾
It is a mainly rodent-eating constrictor that feeds on mice, young rats and occasionally birds or eggs. An adult takes a thawed prey item every 7 to 14 days; beware the risk of obesity from overfeeding, while juveniles are fed more often.
Does this species need UVB?▾
Yes, it is beneficial: this diurnal snake readily basks in the sun in the wild. A low to moderate UVB tube (Ferguson zone 2-3) placed over the basking spot, with accessible shaded areas, is recommended.
Can this snake be handled easily?▾
Once acclimated, it rarely bites and stays calm-tempered with slow, deliberate movements. In the early days, however, it can be lively and skittish, so it is best to handle it gently until it gains confidence.
How long does an Aesculapian snake live?▾
It is a remarkably long-lived colubrid, with a life expectancy of 20 to 25 years in captivity, sometimes more if care is well managed. It is therefore a very long-term commitment to weigh carefully before acquisition.
How does it reproduce and how do you recognise the juveniles?▾
It is an egg-layer that lays 5 to 11 eggs, incubated for about 55 to 65 days at 25-28°C after a triggering winter brumation. The young bear a bright yellow or white collar clearly marked behind the head, which gradually fades to give way to the uniform olive-brown coat of the adult.
What health problems should you watch out for?▾
The main risks are respiratory infections linked to unsuitable temperature or ventilation, dysecdysis when humidity is too low, and scale rot on overly wet substrate. Also watch for snake mites and obesity, which is common with overfeeding.

Track your aesculapian snake on ReptiNode

Create a free tracking log: weight, meals, sheds, health record, QR codes and breeding projects — with the built-in genetics calculator for over 200 species.

Create a free account