Scientific Name Elaphe Dione Common name Steppes Ratsnake Range Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, North Korea, Russia, South Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Size 60 - 70 cm Life Expectancy In excess of 20 years Captive Variants T- Albino, T+ Albino, Hypomelanistic, Lemon, Orange, Nigrita (Melanistic), Striped, Sunrise, Sunglow, Tenebrosa, Tiger, Red Habitat Largely a terrestrial species which is found in a wide range of habitats from dry to wet with sparse to dense vegetation. Housing Vivarium 24 is suitable for one adult or plastic tub. Diones enjoy hiding/climbing through greenery on the floor of their enclosure. Dcor Suitably large water bowl for them to drink and bathe A minimum of 2 hides (1 in the cool end and 1 in the warm end) to one put some damp moss. Substrate Most substrate would probably be suitable for Diones. I use Aspen with a moist hide with some damp moss inside. Temperature/Humidity 22C (72F) to 28C (82F) Heating 1
Viv - Guarded Ceramic heater or heat mat
Tub - Heat mat Whichever method is used, a suitable thermostat should be used and monitored using a digital thermometer. Ceramic heater a pulse proportional thermostat should be used. Feeding Their natural diet is rodents, lizards, frogs, snakes, insects, birds and their eggs. They are also known to be cannibalistic. I feed mice, rats of a suitable size and a chick or quail now and then as a treat. Comments Primarily a terrestrial (ground dwelling) species and a member of the colubrid family of snakes. Diones are fairly easy to keep in captivity and come in a variety of colours and patterns. They can be quite shy but normally fairly docile although the odd one can be unpredictable and nip without warning. Chinese Diones, in particular, are known for their nervous disposition.