Beauty Rat Snake (Black‑browed)

IUCN

Scientific Name：Orthriophis taeniurus

Basic Information

Scientific classification

name：Beauty Rat Snake (Black‑browed)
Scientific Name：Orthriophis taeniurus
Outline：Squamata
Family：Colubridae Orthriophis

Vital signs

length：1.5–2.2 m (larger possible)
Weight：0.8–1.5 kg (size‑dependent)
lifetime：Estimated 10–15 years in the wild; longer under care

Feature

Non‑venomous; strong climber/cave user; bold post‑ocular brow; diurnal crepuscular peaks; rodent control.

Distribution and Habitat

Forest edge, farmland mosaics, caves/rocky terrain and villages across SE/E China to Indochina and Myanmar.

Appearance

Yellow‑olive/brown with thick black brow stripe onto neck; posterior dark cross‑bands; pale yellow belly.

Details

Beauty Rat Snake (Black‑browed Rat Snake; Orthriophis taeniurus, formerly Elaphe) is a large, non‑venomous colubrid across East and parts of Southeast Asia. An adept climber and cave user, it preys mostly on rodents and birds. IUCN: Least Concern (LC).

Ecology & Behaviour

Active at forest edges, farmland mosaics, karst/caves and village margins; largely diurnal with crepuscular peaks. Diet includes rats, eggs, nestlings and lizards. When threatened it tail‑vibrates and releases musk.

Identification

Adults 1.5–2.2 m (larger possible). Yellow‑olive/brown dorsum with a bold black post‑ocular brow extending onto the neck; posterior dark cross‑bands; pale yellow belly. Differs from similar rat snakes by the thicker brow‑stripe and stronger banding.

Reproduction

Oviparous; spring–early summer mating; clutches of 6–18 eggs; incubation ~50–70 days.

Range & Status

SE/E China (incl. Taiwan) to N/C Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar in hilly forests and semi‑rural habitats; widespread and stable overall, with local threats from habitat fragmentation and road mortality.