Common Name Ratsnakes
Common Name Ratsnakes from the following genera and their subspecies:
Ptyas, Spalerosophis, Spilotes & Pseustes
A brief over view of Common Name Ratsnake species & subspecies. These are not caresheets, and should not be used as such. Only the very basic parameters which these species require in captivity are given. Further research through other sources eg: our care guides, articles base or else where on the internet or printed literature is highly recommended if not essential.
- Ptyas carinata – Keeled Ratsnake
- Ptyas dhumnades – Big Eyed Ratsnake
- Ptyas dipas – Sulaweysi Black Racer
- Ptyas fuscus – White Bellied Ratsnake
- Ptyas korros – Indo-Chinese Ratsnake
- Ptyas luzonensis – Smooth-scaled Mountain Ratsnake
- Ptyas mucosus – Indian Ratsnake
- Ptyas nigromarginatus – Black-margined Ratsnake
- Spalerosophis diadema atriceps – Royal Diadem Ratsnake
- Spalerosophis diadema cliffordi – Clifford’s Diadem Ratsnake
- Spalerosophis diadema schirazana – Diadem Ratsnake
- Spalerosophis dolichospilus – Werners Diadem Ratsnake
- Spalerosophis microlepis – Banded Diadem Ratsnake
- Spilotes pullatus – Tiger Ratsnake
Ptyas carinata – Keeled Ratsnake
Common Names: Keeled Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Ptyas carinata
First Described: GÜNTHER 1858
Adult Size: Can reach an impressive 4m in length.
Temperament: Quick to strike if cornered or provoked
Temperature Range:
Humidity Requirements:
Brumation:
Reproduction:
Known Mutations: None at present
Natural History: Common in open slopes and plains, usually with some vegetation, tropical wet and dry forest, tropical and subtropical montane forest, cultivated regions, plantations and not uncommon in arid and semiarid regions.Terrestrial and diurnal, swift, agile and an active forager. A strong climber and good swimmer. In the wild it feeds on a variety of prey including lizards, frogs, rodents, birds and small snakes.
Native To: China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Scale Counts:
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Subcaudals:
Dorsals:
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Not Listed
Ptyas korros – Indo-Chinese Ratsnake
Common Names: Indo-Chinese Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Ptyas korros
First Described: SCHLEGEL, 1837
Adult Size: 2.7m
Temperament: A very active and fast snake that will bite readily if cornered
Temperature & Humidity Range: Provide a humid hide and mist the enclosure often.
Brumation:
Reproduction: 7 to 14 eggs are laid per clutch which hatch in approx 55 days at an incubation temperature of 30°C
Known Mutations: Albino Pied
Natural History: Ptyas korros inhabits areas with altitudes up to 3000m. This is a semi-arboreal specie, that will readily raid nests. The distribution of this species is vast and the landscapes inhabited are of forests, agricultural land, rice fields and human settlements. Eating a wide variety of prey including frogs, lizards, birds, rats and mice, Also noted as being a good swimmer.
Native To: Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, West Malaysia, Singapore.
Scale Counts:
Ventrals: 160-187
Subcaudals: 120-147
Dorsals: 15
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Not Listed
Ptyas fuscus – White Bellied Ratsnake
Common Names: White Bellied Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Ptyas fuscus
First Described: GUNTHER 1864
Adult Size: 2.9m
Temperament:
Temperature & Humidity Range:
Brumation:
Reproduction:
Known Mutations:
Natural History: A rarely encountered terrestrial snake, prefering deep forest habitat but occasionally encountered in open grassy places. Diet consists of Rats, Birds, Frogs and small Reptiles
Santubong Peninsula,Sarawak, Malaysia
Native To: Southern Thailand, through the Malay Peninsular and Singapore, to Sumatra and Borneo.
Scale Counts:
Ventrals:
Subcaudals:
Dorsals:
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Not Listed
Ptyas dhumnades – Big Eyed Ratsnake
Common Names: Chinese Rat Snake or Big Eyed Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Ptyas dhumnades
First Described: CANTOR 1842
Adult Size: a maximum adult size of 220cm
Temperament: A nervous and agile species, quick with erratic movements when cornered.
Temperature & Humidty Range: Provide a daytime hot spot of 80-85°F with a night drop into the low 70’s
Brumation:
Reproduction: 6-17 eggs are laid, incubated at temperatures between 27-30°C they typically hatch after 48 days.
Known Mutations: None known at present
Natural History: Inhabits plains, hilly lands, or low mountainous regions at elevations from 50 to 1570 meters. In rice-fields and cultivated land it is found searching for rodents and amphibians (frogs, toads) as prey, other prey items include fish & birds.
Native To: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guizhou, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, and Zhejiang.
Scale Counts:
Ventrals: ♂ 192-204 ♀ 191-205
Subcaudals: ♂ 95-137 ♀ 98-131
Dorsals: 14-16
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Not Listed
Ptyas dipas – Sulaweysi Black Racer
Common Names: Sulaweysi Black Racer
Scientific Name: Ptyas dipas
First Described: SCHLEGEL 1837
Adult Size:
Temperament:
Temperature Range:
Humidity Requirements:
Brumation:
Reproduction:
Known Mutations:
Natural History: Diurnal and terrestrial snake.Inhabiting tropical wet primary forest. Their diet in the wild consists of mainly rodents but also known to prey on frogs, lizards, and birds.
Native To: Sulaweysi
Scale Counts:
Ventrals: 187-198
Subcaudals: 132-139
Dorsals:
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Not Listed
Ptyas luzonensis – Smooth-scaled Mountain Ratsnake
Common Names: Smooth-scaled Mountain Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Ptyas luzonensis
First Described: GÜNTHER 1873
Adult Size:
Temperament:
Temperature & Humidity Range: Prefers cool and moist environments with a high humidity 90%
Brumation:
Reproduction:
Known Mutations:
Natural History: Inhabiting lowland tropical forests. During the day, the Smooth-scaled Mountain Ratsnake can usually be found on the forest floor, while at night they are more arboreal and can be found in vegetation in the vicinity of water.
Native To: Endemic to the Philippines, where it is known from the islands of Negros, Catanduanes, Luzon, Panay, and Polil
Scale Counts:
Ventrals:
Subcaudals:
Dorsals:
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Not Listed
Ptyas mucosus – Indian Ratsnake
Common Names: Indian Ratsnake, Common Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Ptyas mucosus
First Described: LINNAEUS 1758
Adult Size: 2.4m
Temperament: A very active and fast snake that will bite readily if cornered
Temperature & Humidity Range: provide a humid hide and mist the cage with tepid water when the snake is in slough
Brumation:
Reproduction: Clutches vary from between 9 to 14 eggs and hatch between 58 and 78 days at incubation temperatures between 27 and 30C
Known Mutations: Albino, Leucistic
Natural History: Inhabits mountains, hills, plains below 800 meters altitude. It often found in croplands, hills, along streams or in the vicinity homes. Active during daytime as well as at night. Feeds on toads, frogs, lizards, snakes, and rats
Native To: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China (Zhejiang, Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Tibet, Hong Kong), India (Maharashtra (Pune (=Poona) district, Nasrapur), Karnataka (Castle Rock) ), Andamans, Sri Lanka, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java), Iran, Laos, West Malaysia, Nepal, Myanmar Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, (former) U.S.S.R., Vietnam
Scale Counts:
Ventrals: 180-213
Subcaudals: 95-146
Dorsals: 17
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Not Listed
Ptyas nigromarginatus – Black-margined Ratsnake
Common Names: Green Rat Snake , Black-margined Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Ptyas nigromarginatus
First Described: BLYTH 1854
Adult Size: Adults generally average 1.7m but can reach lengths of 2.7m
Temperament:
Temperature & Humidity Range:
Brumation:
Reproduction:
Known Mutations:
Natural History: Nothing is known of the natural history of this species at present
Native To: Nepal, India (Darjelling, Sikkim, Assam), N Myanmar (= Burma), N Vietnam ? China (Guizhou, Yunnan, SW Sichuan, SE Xizang = Tibet)
Scale Counts:
Ventrals: 189-209
Subcaudals: 120-142
Dorsals:
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Not Listed
Spalerosophis diadema atriceps – Royal Diadem Ratsnake
Common Names: Royal Diadem Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Spalerosophis diadema atriceps *
First Described: FISHER, 1885
Adult Size: 140-180 cm
Temperament: Spirited
Temperature & Humidity Range: Provide a thermal gradient between 24-29C (75-85F), Keep enclosure dry
Brumation: 2 months at 13-15C
Reproduction: 5-16 eggs are laid, incubated at 30C they take on between 60-70 to hatch. Females can lay two clutches a year.
Known Mutations: None Known at present
Natural History: Inhabiting a variety including dense forests, barren deserts and rodent burrows. Diet in the wild consists of lizards, small mammals & nestling birds
Native To: West Bengal, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In Pakistan they are distributed throughout the Province of Sindh and have been recorded from Khairpur, Larkana, Umerkot, Nagarparkar and Mirpurkhas
Scale Counts:
Ventrals: 230-255
Subcaudals:
Dorsals: 29
- Sometimes considered to be just a synonym of S. d. diadema
Spalerosophis diadema cliffordi – Clifford’s Diadem Ratsnake
Common Names: Clifford’s Diadem Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Spalerosophis diadema cliffordi
First Described: SCHLEGEL (1837)
Adult Size: 100-120cm
Temperament: Spirited
Temperature & Humidity Range: Provide a hot spot of between 84-90F / 29-32C. Enclosure should be kept dry.
Brumation: 2-3 months 59-68F / 15-20C
Reproduction: Typically 3-16 eggs are laid which when incubated at temperatures between 75-86C / 24-30C take 59-84 days to hatch.
Known Mutations: None Known at present
Natural History: A diurnal, terrestrial colubrid found in desert and semi desert regions.
Native To: Morocco, Egypt, Israel
Scale Counts:
Ventrals: ♂ 211-238, ♀ 223-246
Subcaudals: ♂ 70-89, ♀ 64-84
Dorsals: 25-31
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Not Listed
References:
Marx 1959, Review of Snake Genus Spalerophis
R.L Ball & N.B Ford 1999 Courtship and mating behaviour in the diadem snake, Spalerosophis diadema cliffordi
Razi Dmi’el, Studies on Reproduction, Growth, and Feeding in the Snake Spalerosophis cliffordi (Colubridae)
Beat Schatti,Frank Tillack & Notker Helfenberger 2009, A contribution to Spalerosophis microlepis JAN, 1865, with a short review of the genus and a key to the species
Spalerosophis diadema schirazana – Diadem Ratsnake
Common Names: Diadem Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Spalerosophis diadema schirazana
First Described: JAN, 1865
Adult Size: 150-180cm
Temperament: Defensive
Temperature & Humidity Range: Low humidity, keep Dry
Brumation:
Reproduction:
Known Mutations: None Known at present
Natural History:
Native To: Iran (Bushire, Zagros Mtns), S Turkmenia, Afghanistan, India
Scale Counts:
Ventrals:
Subcaudals:
Dorsals:
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Not Listed
Spalerosophis dolichospilus – Werners Diadem Ratsnake
Common Names: Werners Diadem Ratsnake, Mograbin Diadem Snake
Scientific Name: Spalerosophis dolichospilus
First Described: WERNER, 1923
Adult Size: 130cm, Sexual dimorphism: Females grow larger than males
Temperament: Quick and may bite when feeling threatened
Temperature & Humidity Range: Keep dry
Brumation:
Reproduction:
Known Mutations: None Known at present
Natural History: Found in dry stony deserts, slopes with boulders, desert mountains. Diurnal but crepuscular and nocturnal during the summer months. Diet in the wild consists of mainly lizards, small mammals and occasionally young birds.
Native To: The mountains of Southwest Iran
Scale Counts:
Ventrals: 227-247
Subcaudals: 62-80
Dorsals: 31-33
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Listed as Data Deficient since, although it has been recorded over a very wide area, there are only very few records, and very little is known about its status and habitat requirements
Miras, J.A.M., Joger, U., Pleguezuelos, J. & Slimani, T. 2006. Spalerosophis dolichospilus. In: IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org >. Downloaded on 25 January 2008.t Listed
Spalerosophis microlepis – Banded Diadem Ratsnake
Common Names: Banded Diadem Ratsnake, Zebra Snake
Scientific Name: Spalerosophis microlepis
First Described: JAN, 1865
Adult Size: 150-180cm
Temperament: Defensive
Temperature & Humidity Range: Low humidity, keep dry
Brumation:
Reproduction:
Known Mutations: None Known at present
Natural History:
Native To: The mountains of Southwest Iran
Scale Counts:
Ventrals:
Subcaudals:
Dorsals: 41-45
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Not Listed
Spilotes pullatus – Tiger Ratsnake
Common Names: Tropical Ratsnake, Tiger Ratsnake, Tropical Chicken Snake
Scientific Name: Spilotes pullatus
First Described: LINNAEUS 1758
Adult Size: 3-4m
Temperament: Quick and defensive
Temperature Range: Provide a thermal gradient between 88-90°F with a nightime drop to 75°F. Humidity should be in the range of 60-65%
Brumation: Not needed with this species
Reproduction: 5 to 14 eggs hatching from 73 to 76 days at 79-81°C
Known Mutations: Albino
A wild caught juvenile male Albino measuring approx 30″ was offered for sale for asking price of $10000 by Ben Siegell (Florida) in 2010. The animal originates from Guyana
Captive Bred Localities:
Natural History: Inhabiting Rainforests and areas with bushes and scrubs usually in the vicinity of water. During the day it is found resting in the branches of trees and bushes. Feeds rodents, birds, lizards and snakes.
Native To: Southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad, Tobago, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana.
Scale Counts:
Ventrals: 198-241
Subcaudals: 100-142
Dorsals: 14-18
References:
Perez-Santos,C & Moreno,A.G 1988 Ofidios de Colombia
Savage J. 2002 Amphibians & Reptiles of Costa Rica
Stafford & Meyer 2000 A guide to the reptiles of Belize
Wilson & Meyers 1982 The Snakes of Honduras
Cippaux 1986 Les serpents de la Guyane francaise
