Oreocryptophis porphyracea nigrofasciata (Cantor, 1839)
Red Mountain Racer 紫灰錦蛇
(Non-venomous)
Oreocryptophis porphyracea
Order
Suborder		 Squamata 有鱗目
Serpentes 蛇亞目
Family Colubridae 游蛇科
Genus Oreocryptophis
Species Oreocryptophis porphyracea nigrofasciata
Other name Red Mountain Rat Snake
Chinese name 紫灰錦蛇黑線亞種, 紅竹蛇
Total length 60 - 90 cm, can reach 105 cm.
Description Back reddish brown, with a black dorsolateral stripe extending from each eye to tail tip.
Young snake with tan-coloured crossbands on the back intersecting with the dorsalateral stripes, which fade with age.
Ventrals white. Head with a longitudinal black streak on the top.
Tail short. Scales smooth.
Habitat

Mountain forests; also in mountain grasslands or bamboo thickets.
Behaviour Mainly diurnal, sometimes active at night.
Timid, docile, but sometimes bites when handled.
Coils into tight loops when captured.
Diet Rodents. Possibly skinks and frogs.
Reproduction Lays 2 -3 eggs. Hatches in about 2 months.
Hatchling 20 - 30 cm.
Distribution In Hong Kong, a rare species.
First recorded from a mountain on Lantau Island in 1943, and later from Tai Mo Shan.
Also found in central New Territories.
Occurs in China, Taiwan, northern Vietnam and Laos.
Conservation Status IUCN Redlist: NE (Not Evaluated)
China Redlist: Vulnerable
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