Wildlifeof Sri Lanka
Oriental Rat Snake
Colubrid Snakes
Photo: Arun Kumar Thyadi · CC BY-SA 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Ptyas mucosa
Basic stats
Diet
A variety of prey, including rodents
Habitat
Pale brown in dry regions to nearly black in moist forest; frequent in urban areas
Range
South and Southeast Asia
Size
Typically 1.5–1.95m, some over 2m; record 3.7m
The Oriental rat snake, or Indian rat snake, is a common non-venomous colubrid of South and Southeast Asia. Typical adults are about 1.5 to 1.95 m long and some exceed 2 m, with a record of 3.7 m. Despite the length it is slender, and a 2 m specimen is commonly only 4 to 6 cm across. Colour varies from pale browns in dry regions to nearly black in moist forest (Wikipedia, general species account).
Rat snakes are diurnal, semi-arboreal and fast-moving, and eat a variety of prey. They are frequently found in urban areas where rodents thrive. Nationally Least Concern (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).
Quick answers
- What does the Oriental Rat Snake eat?
- A variety of prey, including rodents
- What habitat does the Oriental Rat Snake live in?
- Pale brown in dry regions to nearly black in moist forest; frequent in urban areas
- Where is the Oriental Rat Snake found?
- South and Southeast Asia
- How big is the Oriental Rat Snake?
- Typically 1.5–1.95m, some over 2m; record 3.7m