Red-Tailed Rat Snake (Gonyosoma oxycephalum)

Common Name: Red-Tailed Racer
Scientific Name: Gonyosoma oxycephalum
Source: WC
Adult Size: 180–240cm (6–8ft), occasionally larger
Native Range: South and Southeast Asia — including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and surrounding islands

Enclosure: A minimum 120×60×120cm Viperia PVC vivarium for adults; this is a large, active arboreal (tree-dwelling) species and height is essential. Furnish generously with sturdy branches, cork tubes, and dense foliage to provide climbing opportunities and secure retreats. A bioactive or humid-retaining substrate such as coco coir is ideal for maintaining the required humidity.
Heating: Basking spot of 30–32°C; ambient temperature of 24–28°C; a night-time drop to 20–22°C is well tolerated and beneficial.
Humidity: 60–80%; achieved by lightly misting one side of the enclosure once or twice daily, using live or artificial foliage to hold moisture, and ensuring good ventilation to prevent stagnant conditions.
UVB: A 6% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width, positioned so the animal can bask 20–30cm from the lamp. Although primarily crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk), red-tailed racers encounter dappled forest light in the wild and benefit noticeably from appropriate UV provision in captivity.
Diet: Primarily rodents in captivity — pre-killed or defrosted mice and rats of an appropriate size. Juveniles feed every 5–7 days; adults every 10–14 days. Some individuals may initially prefer lizards or birds, but most can be transitioned onto rodents with patience.

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The red-tailed racer is a strikingly beautiful snake from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, instantly recognisable by its vivid emerald-green body, contrasting rust-red tail, and piercing blue tongue. In the wild these snakes spend the majority of their lives in the forest canopy, making them a genuinely impressive display animal for keepers who can provide the vertical space they need.

Red-tailed racers are best suited to experienced keepers — they can be defensive and fast-moving, particularly when young, and they require a well-thought-out arboreal setup with consistent humidity and temperature. With calm, consistent handling over time many individuals settle well, and their bold personality and stunning colouration make them one of the most rewarding larger colubrid species in the hobby.