Short answer: A hardy, active rat snake from the southeastern United States and the classic first snake. An adult needs at least a 4 × 2 × 2 foot enclosure, an 85–90°F basking surface, a 72–78°F cool side, and a rodent no wider than 1.5 times its body every 7–21 days depending on age.
Every number below links to the care source it came from. No AI-written care advice.
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| Enclosure (adult minimum) | 48 × 24 × 24 in. No smaller than 4 × 2 × 2 feet for an adult. [source] |
|---|---|
| Basking spot | 85–90°F [source] |
| Cool end | 72–78°F [source] |
| Night | Can safely fall to 68°F at night. [source] |
| Humidity | 40–60% [source] |
| UVB (recommended) | A T5 5.0 or 6% tube spanning about half the enclosure; 7–10 in above the basking surface through mesh, 11–16 in without. [source] |
| Heat | A heat lamp over the basking area at one end, on a thermostat. |
| Substrate | 3–4 in of a soil and sand mix (about 40% topsoil, 40% reptile soil, 20% play sand). Avoid: Cedar or pine shavings. [source] |
| Adult size · lifespan | 3–5 ft · 15–20+ years |
What to feed, and how often
Frozen-thawed mice no wider than 1.5 times the snake's widest point, or about 10% of its body weight. [source]
| Hatchling | One appropriately sized mouse |
|---|---|
| Juvenile | One appropriately sized mouse |
| Adult | One appropriately sized mouse |
Supplements: None needed for whole prey
When is the next meal due?Feeding schedule →Is this normal?
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Sources
General husbandry information, not veterinary advice. If your animal is losing weight or seems unwell, see a reptile vet (find one through ARAV). Updated November 9, 2026.