| Oriental Ratsnake | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Physical description | |
| Binomial name | Ptyas mucosa |
| Habitat | Wetlands |
| Lifespan | 11 Years |
| Average Size | 1.5-2 Metres |
| Average weight | 877-940 Grams |
| Diet | Carnivorous |
| Conservational Status | |
| Status | Not Evaluated |
| IUCN status | 3.1 |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Suborder | Serpentes |
| Family | Colubridae |
| Genus | Ptyas |
| Species | P. mucosa |
Description[]
The Oriental ratsnake is a large snake found in parts of South and Southeast Asia. Their color varies from pale browns in dry regions to nearly black in moist forest areas. These are non-venomous and fast-moving snakes. They eat a variety of prey and are frequently found in urban areas where rodents thrive.
Distribution[]
Oriental ratsnakes are found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China (Zhejiang, Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan), India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Bali), Iran, Laos, West Malaysia, Nepal, Myanmar, Pakistan (Sindh area), Thailand, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Nepal. They inhabit forest floors, wetlands, rice paddies, farmland, and suburban areas.
Continents[]
Asia
Subcontinents[]
South Asia, Southeast Asia, Western Asia, East Asia
Countries[]
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Viet Nam, Nepal
Regions[]
Tibet, Bali, Jawa, Sumatera
Biome[]
Tropical moist forests, Tropical coniferous forests, Wetlands, Urban wildlife, Anthropogenic biome, Forest, Rocky areas
Climate Zones[]
Tropical
Habits and Lifestyle[]
Oriental ratsnakes are solitary creatures. They are diurnal and semi-arboreal. Although these snakes are harmless to humans, they are fast-moving and very excitable. In captivity individuals remain highly territorial and may continue to defend their turf aggressively, attempting to startle or strike at passing objects. When threatened, adults emit a growling sound and inflate their necks. If captured, they will try to bite.
Diet and Nutrition[]
Oriental ratsnakes are carnivores. They prey upon small reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals.
Mating Habits[]
Oriental ratsnakes mate in late spring and early summer, though in tropical areas reproduction may take place year-round. During this time males establish boundaries of territory using a ritualized test of strength in which they intertwine their bodies. The behavior is sometimes misread by observers as a 'mating dance' between opposite-sex individuals. Females produce 6-15 eggs per clutch several weeks after mating. The incubation period lasts around 60 days. The young measure 36-41 cm in total length and are completely independent at birth.
Population[]
Population threats[]
Oriental ratsnakes are aggressively hunted by humans in some areas of their range for skins and meat. Due to their defensive behavior, Oriental ratsnakes often resemble the King cobra or Indian cobra; this often backfires in human settlements, though, as the harmless animal is then mistaken for a venomous snake and killed.