Orthriophis taeniurus (Cope, 1861)
Beauty Snake 黑眉曙蛇
(Non-venomous)

Orthriophis taeniurus
Order
Suborder
Squamata 有鱗目
Serpentes 蛇亞目
Family Colubridae 游蛇科
Genus Orthriophis
Species Orthriophis taeniurus
Other name Beauty Snake, Beauty Rat Snake, Striped Snake
Chinese name 黑眉錦蛇
Total length Average 150 - 170cm, can reach over 200 cm.
Description Ground colour yellowish to olive.
Body heavily marked with black spots.
Distinctive black stripe extend from eye to the corner of the mouth
Habitat

local habitat not clearly known. Locally found in forested area inside country park.

Behaviour Diurnal. Orthriophis sp. are known to be active in the morning.
Genus name derived from the Greek word orthros, meaning dawn, and ophis, meaning snake.
When threatened, O. taeniurus shows similar display as Copperhead Racer (Coelognathus radiatus), inflates the neck, bend the anterior half of body into loops with mouth widely open.
Vicious and aggressive. Will strike and bite when handled.
Diet Presumbly similar to other large racer and rat snake: rodents, birds, lizards, frogs
Reproduction Unknown.
Distribution Locally only recorded from Hong Kong Island, where there are confirmed breeding populations.
Local status uncertain. First recorded in Hong Kong within the past 10 years.
Local populations are suspected to be from captive origin as this species is frequently traded in snake shop or pet market.
However, Hong Kong is within the natural range of the south China subspecies O. t. mocquardi.
There are a total of eight subspecies of O. taeniurus, entire range encompass China, Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands of Japan, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo.
Conservation Status IUCN Redlist: NE (Not Evaluated)
China Redlist: NE (Not Evaluated)
Orthriophis taeniurus Orthriophis taeniurus Orthriophis taeniurus
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