Mandarin rat snake

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.

Mandarin rat snake
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific 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

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).