Ptyas mucosus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common Rat Snake 水律
(Non-venomous)
Suborder
Serpentes 蛇亞目
Barring on forepart of body may be faded or even absent.
Young snakes usually more olive in colour. Some adult specimens may be very dark.
Ventrals whitish. Labials light cream in colour, heavily barred with black.
Tail very long and whip-like. Scales smooth.
Found in a variety of habitats: agricultural fields, shrubland, grassland, around ponds and reservoirs, and edges of rural gardens.
Much less common in densely wooded areas and rare in mountain grassland.
In general, inhabits more arid areas than Indo-Chinese Rat Snake (P. korros).
Often falls into catchwaters or enters them deliberately to find prey.
Sometimes enters houses especially on farms in search of rodents.
A powerful, aggressive snake.
When restrained, will strike and bite vigorously. Will also defecate in self-defence.
Most adults do not tame or feed well, but one local large adult has lived in captivity for 17 years.
Young specimens more even-tempered, but become more aggressive and wild as they mature.
Commonly seen for sale in snake shops for its meat.
Also recorded from a few small islands (Shek Kwu chau, Cheung Chau, Green Island, Tai A Chau, Stonecutters).
Occurs in central and southern China including Taiwan, South and Southeast Asia.
China Redlist: Endangered
