Description
- Common Name: Blotched Diadem Snake
- Scientific Name: Spalerosophis diadema
- Locality/Morph: Wild type
- Sex: Mixed
- Age: Mixed
- Source: Wild Caught
- Native Range: North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia (extending into India and Pakistan)
- Natural Habitat: Arid deserts, rocky hillsides, semi-deserts, scrubland, and oases margins
- Diet: Rodents, birds, lizards, and other small vertebrates
- Basking Temperature: 30–35°C hotspot
- Ambient Temperature: 25–28°C (night drop to ~20°C)
- Average Adult Size: 120–200 cm
The Blotched Diadem Snake (Spalerosophis diadema) is a large, fast-moving colubrid with a striking appearance. Its name comes from the bold, blotched pattern across its back and the pale head markings, resembling a diadem or crown. Colours vary regionally, from sandy yellows and browns to rich orange and red, allowing them to blend well into arid environments.
In the wild, S. diadema is an active and opportunistic predator, hunting a wide range of prey including rodents, birds, and reptiles. They are mostly crepuscular or nocturnal, becoming active in the cooler hours of the day and at night. While not venomous, they can be defensive when threatened—striking and inflating their bodies to appear more intimidating. With regular, careful handling, captive specimens can become more manageable, though they are generally best suited for keepers with a bit of experience.
Captive care requires a large, secure enclosure due to their size and activity levels. Provide a deep, sandy-soil substrate for burrowing, alongside rocky hides, branches, and a secure basking site. A temperature gradient with a hotspot of 30–35°C is ideal, and moderate humidity levels should be maintained with occasional light misting, allowing the enclosure to dry out fully. Fresh water must always be provided.
The Blotched Diadem Snake is a hardy, long-lived (15–20 years in captivity) snake. While not a beginner snake due to their speed, and often defensive nature, they are an extraordinary species for advanced enthusiasts who can meet their requirements.
Livestock Delivery:
Livestock is delivered in our own heated reptile courier vans. Delivery time from ordering will depend on your location and when we next have a van in your area, this will usually be a maximum of 2 weeks. You will receive a date and time slot by phone or email, so please ensure you enter these correctly at checkout. Delivery fee for livestock depends on location, prices start at £45. Livestock orders over £500 (+VAT) are delivered free of charge.
Livestock Sale Terms:
If multiple animals are in stock then not all will be pictured, so the photo above may not be exact animal available.
All prices are per individual unless otherwise stated. All livestock is subject to availability, whilst we try to keep the website as up to date as possible errors may happen, in this situation you will be contacted to arrange a refund/alternative.
Errors can happen with sexing and morph identification. Should this be discovered before leaving us you are entitled to a refund. After the animal leaves us it is the customers responsibility to inform us within 48 hours of the animals arrival. Failing to do so may lose the customers eligibility for a refund.
It is the customers responsibility to have the correct setup available and ready for the animal, if you need any advice please do get in touch. We have the right to request proof of setup at any time, failure to provide an image of an appropriate setup or any image at all, may result in a full order cancellation and refund.
Guarantee for all inverts & amphibians is 24 hours. All other livestock is 48 hours. If issues/concerns are notified upon delivery, then this may be extended. All health related queries will be subject to a full investigation should an issue arise. Failing to provide us with the information we request may void any form of guarantee. If we find reason from the information that its injury or death was caused by negligence or incorrect husbandry then the guarantee may be void. Should death or abnormalities occur then you must inform us as soon as possible. In the unlikely event that an animal passes away please photograph the dead body and freeze until you have heard from us. If death or illness occurs after 7 days, and no health issues were reported, then Ridgeway will not be held responsible.
We have the right to refuse any sale, refund or guarantee at any time if we feel it is necessary.
Livestock sales are for customers aged 18+, if under this age you must have prior parent permission. If we have any reason to suspect this is not the case we will contact you before the animal is released.
When purchasing an animal from us you automatically agree to these terms of sale.
