Mandarin rat snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Euprepiophis
Species:
E. mandarinus
Binomial name
Euprepiophis mandarinus
(Cantor, 1842)
Synonyms[2]
  • Coluber mandarinus Cantor, 1842
  • Ablabes pavo Annandale, 1912
  • Elaphe mandarinus — Stejneger, 1925
  • Elaphe takasago Takahashi, 1930
  • Holarchus roulei Angel & Bourret, 1933
  • Elaphe mandarina — M.A. Smith, 1943
  • Euprepiophis mandarinus
    — Utiger et al., 2002
  • Euprepiophis mandarinus
    — Gumprecht, 2003

The mandarin rat snake (Euprepiophis mandarinus) 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.

Description

It is a relatively small rat snake; adult size is no more than 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) in total length (body + tail).[3]

Distribution

India (Arunachal Pradesh), Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Taiwan, China (Anhui, Beijing, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shanghai, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin, Tibet, Yunnan, Zhejiang)[1]

Type locality: China: Chekiang, Chusan island (modern transliteration: Zhejiang, Zhoushan) (Cantor, 1842).[2]

Taxonomy

In recent years there has been some taxonomic controversy over the genera of rat snakes. Based on mitochondrial DNA, Utiger et al. (2002)[4] argued for a splintering of the genus Elaphe and suggested a reworking of the genera.[5]

Natural history

The mandarin rat snake is a secretive species, often using rodent burrows for shelter. It feeds primarily on small rodents, prefers cooler temperatures, and is predominantly crepuscular. It occurs from sea level to at least 3,000 m (9,800 ft).

References

  1. ^ a b Ji, X.; Wang, Y.; Guo, P. (2012). "Euprepiophis mandarinus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T192138A2045703. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T192138A2045703.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Euprepiophis mandarinus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 21 October 2012.
  3. ^ Hans Breuer & William Christopher Murphy (2009–2010). "Euprepiophis mandarina Mandarin Ratsnake". Snakes of Taiwan.
  4. ^ Utiger, Urs; Notker Helfenberger; Beat Schätti; Catherine Schmidt; Markus Ruf & Vincent Ziswiler (2002). "Molecular systematics and phylogeny of Old World and New World ratsnakes, Elaphe Auct., and related genera (Reptilia, Squamata, Colubridae)" (PDF). Russian Journal of Herpetology. 9 (2): 105–124.
  5. ^ Elaphe obsoleta Archived 2009-04-14 at the Wayback Machine at The Center for North American Herpetology. Accessed 20 June 2008.

Further reading

External links

Taxon identifiers
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