Beauty rat snake

Beauty rat snake
	Taiwan beauty rat snake ; (Elaphe taeniura friesei)
Conservation status
	; Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Elaphe
Species:	E. taeniura
Binomial name
	Elaphe taeniura; (Cope, 1861)
Synonyms
	Elaphe tæniura; Cope, 1861; Coluber tæniurus; — Boulenger, 1890; Elaphe taeniura; — Stejneger, 1907; Orthriophis taeniurus; — Utiger et al., 2002;

Last updated April 26, 2024

The beauty rat snake (Elaphe taeniura), also called the beauty ratsnake, the beauty snake, or the cave racer, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the eastern and southeastern regions of Asia. 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.^[2]^[3]

Description

Living about 15–25 years, the average length of the beauty rat snake (including the tail) is about 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m).^{[ citation needed ]}

Coloration

The overall ground color is yellowish-brown to olive, becoming darker at the end of the tail.^{[ citation needed ]} 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.^{[ citation needed ]}

Subspecies and distribution

Subspecies

Subspecies of this species include:^{[ citation needed ]}

Chinese beauty snake (Elaphe taeniura taeniura) – Native to China.^[4] This subspecies has 11 different morphs.^[5]
Ridley's beauty snake, cave dwelling ratsnake, cave racer (Elaphe taeniura ridleyi) – Native to Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. Bred in captivity in Cameron Highlands.^[6] Is listed as Vulnerable on the China Species Red List.^[6] (As the name implies, often lives deep within caves where its diet consists mainly of bats. They have a yellow to beige background color that darkens to a grey-black towards the tail. A white to cream mid-dorsal stripe starts about half of the way down the body and continues to the tip of tail. Both sides of the head are marked just behind the eye with a black stripe surrounded by blue.)
Mocquard's beauty rat snake (Elaphe taeniura mocquardi) – Native to southeastern China and northern Vietnam, as well as the island of Hainan.
Taiwan/Taiwanese beauty snake, stripe tail ratsnake (Elaphe taeniura friesei, previously Elaphe taeniura friesi)^[2] – Native to Taiwan.^[2]
Vietnamese blue beauty/blue beauty snake (Elaphe taeniura callicyanous) – Native to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.^[7]
Helfenberger's beauty snake (Elaphe taeniura helfenbergeri) – Native to Myanmar and Thailand.^[8]
Elaphe taeniura grabowskyi – Native to Sumatra and the provinces of East Malaysia and Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.
Elaphe taeniura schmackeri – Native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan.
Elaphe taeniura yunnanensis – Native to China, India, Laos, Myanmar, eastern Thailand and Vietnam.
Elaphe taeniura ssp. – Native to Burma, Thailand and Vietnam.

Etymology

The subspecific name, grabowskyi, is in honor of biologist Friedrich J. Grabowsky.^[9]

The subspecific name, mocquardi, is in honor of French herpetologist François Mocquard.^[9]

Geographic range and habitat

The range of the species covers much of southern and southeastern Asia, excluding western and northeastern China.^[1] Within these countries, these snakes can be typically found in rain forests as well as within caves.^{[ citation needed ]}

Ecology

Behavior

Due to their preference for caves, beauty snakes 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 its 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.^{[ citation needed ]}

When upset the beauty rat snakes will "waggle" its tail in an attempt to make noises that may scare the source of its fear. Another defensive behavior it exhibits when frightened is to flatten its body vertically in an attempt to look larger or more intimidating.^[10]

Feeding

The beauty rat snake typically feeds on ground rodents such as mice and, due to the snake's climbing abilities, even bats that are roosting within the caves they share. In addition to small mammals, beauty rat snakes have also been known to eat birds and bird eggs occasionally.^{[ citation needed ]}

Breeding

The beauty rat snake species is oviparous, and mating usually results about a month after the hibernation period which is during times when the temperature is around 18–20 °C (64–68 °F).^[1]^{[ citation needed ]} After laying 4-12 eggs, the female will incubate and defend them for about 70 days, only taking occasional breaks to hunt.^{[ citation needed ]} Recently hatched young range about 30–45 cm (11+3⁄4–17+3⁄4 in) in length.^{[ citation needed ]} About two weeks later they will begin to shed their first skin. Within the next 14 months, hatchlings grow to be about 135 cm (4 ft 5 in) long and are able to breed another 4 months later.^{[ citation needed ]}

Threats and predators

Though beauty rat snakes are typically in less accessible caves, the top predators of these serpents are birds and mammals.^{[ citation needed ]}

Interaction with humans

The beauty rat snake is largely traded in the Chinese snake skin and live snake trade.^[11] Overall, the Chinese beauty snake, Taiwan beauty snake and Vietnamese blue beauty snake are the most popular of the subspecies to be kept as pets.^[5]^[2] Pop culture has also been influenced by the beauty rat snake by having Mozler, the main monster from the 1988 Hong Kong film Thunder of Gigantic Serpent, be of the same species. Though Mozler displays a calm temperament, this is seen mainly in captive bred snakes.^{[ citation needed ]} Wild caught snakes can have difficult dispositions despite being kept as pets for several years.^{[ citation needed ]}

As an invasive species

Though the overall species is native to Asia, certain subspecies have become invasive in regions of Asia to which they are not local. The cause of their invasion varies but one of the leading causes is individuals that have been transported by the pet trade and escaping or being released by owners. Another reason has been military movement of resources which has created routes along which serpents can move.^[12]

On the island of Okinawa one subspecies of beauty rat snake, suspected to be the Taiwanese beauty snake, has been established as an invasive species since the late 1970s. The Taiwanese beauty snake was originally brought onto the islands to be displayed at zoos as well as for medicinal purposes but now has spread through forests and urban locations. According to the article Invasive Species of Japan, the "spread of [the Taiwanese Beauty Snake] to northern part of Okinawa Island could threaten endemic and endangered birds and mammals, such as Gallirallus okinawae, Erithacus komadori namiyei, Diplothrix legata, Tokudaia muenninki, etc."^[3] As of yet, there is no further published information on the exact impact of the Taiwanese beauty snake's invasion into Okinawa.

Control strategies

Policies and laws

Currently, according to the Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Act, it is illegal in Japan to own, transport or bring any Taiwanese beauty snake into the country.^[3] The IAS Act also maintains a list differentiating between Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Uncategorized Alien Species (UAS) and Living Organisms Required to have a Certificate Attached (LORCA) while they are brought into the country. The Taiwanese beauty snake is the only subspecies of beauty rat snake labeled as an IAS. The subspecies Orthiophis taeniurus schmackeri is the only one listed as an exemption of the UAS category but all subspecies (exempting the prohibited Taiwanese beauty snake) classify as LORCAs.^[13]

Related Research Articles

Rat snakes are members – along with kingsnakes, milk snakes, vine snakes and indigo snakes – of the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. They are medium to large constrictors and are found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. They feed primarily on rodents. Many species make attractive and docile pets and one, the corn snake, is one of the most popular reptile pets in the world. Like all snakes, they can be defensive when approached too closely, handled, or restrained. However, rat snake bites are not dangerous to humans. Like nearly all colubrids, rat snakes pose no threat to humans. Rat snakes were long believed to be completely nonvenomous, but recent studies have shown that some Old World species do possess small amounts of venom, though the amount is negligible relative to humans.

Pantherophis obsoletus, also known commonly as the western rat snake, black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake, is a nonvenomous species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to central North America. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. Its color variations include the Texas rat snake. Along with other snakes of the eastern United States, like the eastern indigo snake and the eastern racer, it is called “black snake”.

Elaphe is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. Elaphe is one of the main genera of the rat snakes, which are found in many regions of the northern hemisphere. Elaphe species are medium to large constrictors by nature.

The mandarin rat snake is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to Asia. It is closely related to Euprepiophis conspicillata, the Japanese forest rat snake. Mandarin rat snakes are one of the most popular rat snakes found in the pet trade.

Oreocryptophis porphyraceus is a rat snake species, commonly called the black-banded trinket snake, red bamboo snake, found in mid to upper-level elevations of forested hills in southeastern Asia, ranging from evergreen tropical to dry seasonal forests depending on the subspecies and locality. It is the only member of the genus Oreocryptophis, but it was formerly placed in Elaphe.

Gonyosoma prasinum is a species of colubrid snake found in Asia.

Coelognathus radiatus, commonly known as the radiated ratsnake, copperhead rat snake, or copper-headed trinket snake, is a nonvenomous species of colubrid snake.

The eastern trinket snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.

Pantherophis emoryi, commonly known as the Great Plains rat snake, is a species of nonvenomous rat snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the central part of the United States, from Missouri to Nebraska, to Colorado, south to Texas, and into northern Mexico.

Pantherophis bairdi is a species of harmless snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the southwestern United States and adjacent northeastern Mexico. No subspecies are recognized as being valid.

The Japanese rat snake is a medium-sized colubrid snake found throughout the Japanese archipelago as well as on the Russian-administered Kunashir Island. In Japanese it is known as the aodaishō or "blue general". It is non-venomous. It is hunted by eagles and tanukis.

Elaphe schrenckii is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is indigenous to Northeast Asia.

Elaphe carinata, the king ratsnake, is a species of Colubrid snake found in Southeast and East Asia.

Coelognathus is a genus of seven species of rat snakes in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species, which are native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, were formerly assigned to the genus Elaphe. Based on morphological evidence and protein similarities, in 2001, Helfenberger revalidated the name Coelognathus that had originally been proposed by Leopold Fitzinger in 1843. The distinction between Coelognathus and Elaphe was further supported by mitochondrial DNA sequence and additional morphological evidence in 2005.

Pantherophis alleghaniensis, commonly called the eastern rat snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America.

The Transcaucasian ratsnake, also commonly known as the Gavand snake, is a species of nonvenomous ratsnake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Western Asia and the Middle East. There are three recognized subspecies.

Euprepiophis perlaceus, also known as Sichuan rat snake or pearl-banded rat snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae snake. It is endemic to western Sichuan Province in China. This snake is designated as Endangered by the IUCN Red List. It is found in the Palearctic.

References

1 2 3 Elaphe taeniura at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
1 2 3 4 "Orthriophis taeniurus friesi - Taiwan Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-27.^{[ dead link ]}
1 2 3 "Beauty snake / Invasive Species of Japan". www.nies.go.jp. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
↑ "Orthriophis t. taeniurus - Chinese Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Archived from the original on 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
1 2 "Chinese Beauty Snake Morph Guide - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
1 2 "Orthriophis taeniurus ridleyi - Ridley's Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Archived from the original on 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
↑ "Orthriophis taeniurus callicyanous - Blue Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Archived from the original on 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
↑ "Orthriophis taeniurus helfenbergeri – Helfenberger's Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakes.info. Archived from the original on 2017-03-28. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
1 2 Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Orthriophis taeniurus grabowskyi, p. 105; O. t. mocquardi, p. 181).
↑ Meet the Blue Beauty Rat Snake! , retrieved 2023-03-08
↑ Zhou Z, Jiang Z (2004). "International trade status and crisis for snake species in China". Conservation Biology. 18 (5): 1386–1394. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.00251.x. S2CID 84766216.
↑ Pitt, William C.; Stahl, Randal S.; Yoder, Christi (2010-01-01). "Emerging Challenges of Managing Island Invasive Species: Potential Invasive Species Unintentionally Spread from Military Restructuring". Usda Wildlife Services - Staff Publications.
↑ Fumito Koike; Mick N. Clout; Mieko Kawamichi; Maj De Poorter; Kunio Iwatsuki (1 January 2006). Assessment and control of biological invasion risks (PDF). SHOUKADOH Book Sellers. ISBN 978-4-87974-604-7.

External links

Breuer, Hans; Murphy, William Christopher (2009–2010). "Orthriophis taeniurus friesei ". Snakes of Taiwan. Archived from the original on 2013-03-19. Retrieved 2012-10-17. www.snakesoftaiwan.com

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[RDB-1] 1 2 3 Elaphe taeniura at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database

[friesi-2] 1 2 3 4 "Orthriophis taeniurus friesi - Taiwan Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-27.^{[ dead link ]}

[Japan-3] 1 2 3 "Beauty snake / Invasive Species of Japan". www.nies.go.jp. Retrieved 2017-03-28.

[4] "Orthriophis t. taeniurus - Chinese Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Archived from the original on 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2017-03-27.

[Morph-5] 1 2 "Chinese Beauty Snake Morph Guide - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2017-03-27.

[ridleyi-6] 1 2 "Orthriophis taeniurus ridleyi - Ridley's Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Archived from the original on 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2017-03-27.

[7] "Orthriophis taeniurus callicyanous - Blue Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Archived from the original on 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2017-03-27.

[8] "Orthriophis taeniurus helfenbergeri – Helfenberger's Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakes.info. Archived from the original on 2017-03-28. Retrieved 2017-03-27.

[EDR-9] 1 2 Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Orthriophis taeniurus grabowskyi, p. 105; O. t. mocquardi, p. 181).

[10] Meet the Blue Beauty Rat Snake! , retrieved 2023-03-08

[11] Zhou Z, Jiang Z (2004). "International trade status and crisis for snake species in China". Conservation Biology. 18 (5): 1386–1394. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.00251.x. S2CID 84766216.

[12] Pitt, William C.; Stahl, Randal S.; Yoder, Christi (2010-01-01). "Emerging Challenges of Managing Island Invasive Species: Potential Invasive Species Unintentionally Spread from Military Restructuring". Usda Wildlife Services - Staff Publications.

[KoikeClout2006-13] Fumito Koike; Mick N. Clout; Mieko Kawamichi; Maj De Poorter; Kunio Iwatsuki (1 January 2006). Assessment and control of biological invasion risks (PDF). SHOUKADOH Book Sellers. ISBN 978-4-87974-604-7.

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