Beauty ratsnake, Beauty snake, Cave racer
The Beauty rat snake (Orthriophis taeniura, once of the Elaphe complex) is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. It is a long, thin, semi-arboreal species of snake with several recognized subspecies. This constrictor feeds on rodents, and though it is favored in some locations as a natural pest control or pet, it is also considered an invasive species in other locations.
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CathemeralCathemerality, sometimes called metaturnality, is the behavior in which an organism has sporadic and random intervals of activity during the day or...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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HibernatingHibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression undergone by some animal species. Hibernation is a seasonal heterothermy charac...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe average length of the Beauty rat snake (including the tail) is about 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m).
The overall ground color is yellowish-brown to olive, becoming darker at the end of the tail. The skin on the back of the neck and head are uniform in color and the back is typically marked with two pairs of round black spots that meld together. Starting at the back corner of each eye, a black stripe reaches back to each corner of the mouth which is pale cream around the upper labial area.
Beauty rat snakes are found in much of southern and southeastern Asia, excluding western and northeastern China. Within these countries, they inhabit rainforests, tropical dry forests, shrubland, caves, and agricultural areas.
Beauty rat snakes are semi-arboreal creatures. Due to their preference for caves, they have become able climbers and are known to move along cave walls. This ability becomes a strong asset for them when it comes to hunting. In addition, likely due to their cave-dwelling habits, Beauty rat snakes are cathemeral, meaning that they are active at random times during the 24-hour day regardless of whether it is day or night outside. These harmless snakes almost don’t pose any danger to humans and when sensing danger they prefer to flee.
Beauty rat snakes are carnivores. They typically hunt ground rodents such as mice and, due to their climbing abilities, even bats that are roosting within the caves they share. In addition to small mammals, Beauty rat snakes may also eat birds and bird eggs occasionally.
Beauty rat snakes are oviparous. They mate about a month after the hibernation period which is during times when the temperature is around 18-20 °C (64-68 °F). After laying 4-12 eggs, the female will incubate and defend them for about 70 days, only taking occasional breaks to hunt. Recently hatched young range about 30-45 cm (11.8–17.7 in) in length. About 2 weeks later they will begin to shed their first skin. Within the next 14 months, snakelets grow to be about 135 cm (4 ft 5 in) long and are able to breed another 4 months later.
The main threats to this species include predation by birds and mammals and roadkill. Beauty rat snakes are also largely traded in the Chinese snake skin and live snake trade.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Beauty rat snake total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.
