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Beauty Rat Snake
Taiwan beauty rat snake
(Orthriophis taeniura friesei)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Orthriophis
Species:
O. taeniurus
Binomial name
Orthriophis taeniurus
(Cope, 1861)
Map of Asia Highlighting India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, most of China, Singapore and Pulau Tioman.
The range of the Beauty Ratsnake species (including all subspecies). Assembled from http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Orthriophis&species=taeniurus
Synonyms
  • Elaphe tæniurus Cope, 1861 * Coluber tæniurus
    — Boulenger, 1890 * Elaphe taeniurus
    — Stejneger, 1907 * Orthriophis taeniurus
    — Utiger et al., 2002[1]

The Beauty Rat Snake (Orthriophis taeniurus), also called the Beauty Ratsnake, the Beauty Snake, or the Cave Racer, is a species of snake native to the Eastern and Southeastern regions of Asia. The species is known to be long, thin and is a semi-arboreal group of serpents with several recognized subspecies[2]. This constrictor feeds on rodents and though is favored in some locations as a natural pest control or pet, it is also an invasive species in other locations as well[3][4][5].

Description

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Living about 15-25 years, the average length of a Beauty Rat Snake (including the tail) is about 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m), with an unofficial record of a little less than 8 ft (2.4 m)[3].

Coloration

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Generally speaking, the ground color of O. taeniurus is yellowish-brown to olive which becomes darker at the end of the tail[6]. The skin on the back of the neck and head are uniform in color and the back is marked typically with two pairs of round black spots that meld together. Starting at the back corner of each eye, a black stripe reaches back to each corner of the mouth which is pale cream around the upper labial area[7].

Distribution

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Subspecies

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Subspecies of this species include[8]:

  • Chinese Beauty Snake (Orthriophis taeniurus taeniurus) - Native to China[9]. This subspecies has 11 different morphs[10].
  • Ridley's Beauty Snake, Cave Dwelling Ratsnake, Cave Racer (Orthriophis taeniurus ridleyi) - Native to Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. Bred in captivity in Cameron Highlands[11]. Is listed as Vulnerable on the China Species Red List[12]. (As the name implies, often lives deep within caves where its diet consists mainly of bats. They have a yellow to beige background color that darkens to a grey-black towards the tail. A white to cream mid-dorsal stripe starts about half of the way down the body and continues to the tip of tail. Both sides of the head are marked just behind the eye with a black stripe surrounded by blue. Suggest creating an article specifically for this subspecies to place this info?)
  • Mocquard's Beauty Rat Snake (Orthriophis taeniurus mocquardi) - Native to southeastern China and northern Vietnam, as well as the island of Hainan.
  • Taiwan/Taiwanese Beauty Snake, Stripe Tail Ratsnake (Orthriophis taeniurus friesei, previously Elaphe taeniura friesi[13]) - Native to Taiwan[14].
  • Vietnamese Blue Beauty/Blue Beauty Snake (Orthriophis taeniurus callicyanous) - Native to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand[15].
  • Helfenberger’s Beauty Snake (Orthriophis taeniurus helfenbergeri) - Native to Myanmar and Thailand[16].
  • Orthriophis taeniurus grabowskyi - Native to Sumatra and the provinces of East Malaysia and Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.
  • Orthriophis taeniurus schmackeri - Native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan.
  • Orthriophis taeniurus yunnanensis - Native to China, India, Laos, Myanmar, eastern Thailand and Vietnam.
  • Orthriophis taeniurus ssp. - Native to Burma, Thailand and Vietnam.

Range and Habitat

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The range of the species covers much of South and Southeastern Asia, excluding Western and Northeastern China[17]. Within these countries, these snakes can be typically found in the rain forests as well as within caves[18]. Currently, there is no specific information on the Beauty Rat Snakes preferred caves, rain forests and climate available.

Ecology

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Behavior

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Due to their preference for caves, these snakes have become able climbers and are known to move along cave walls. This ability becomes a strong asset for them when it comes to hunting. In addition, likely due to its cave-dwelling habits, Beauty Rat Snakes are cathemeral, meaning that they are active at random times during the 24-hour day regardless of whether it is day or night outside[19].

Feeding

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Relatively small, the Beauty Rat Snakes typically feed on ground rodents such as mice to, due to their climbing abilities, even bats that are roosting within the caves they share. In addition to small mammals, Beauty Rat Snakes have also been known to eat birds and bird eggs occasionally. As constrictors, this species uses heat receptors to find prey by sensing the prey's body heat[20]. Further information on hunting habits of the Beauty Rat Snake is not currently available.

Breeding

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The Beauty Rat Snake species is oviparous and mating usually results about a month after hibernation period which is during times where the temperature is around 18–20 °C (64–68 °F)[21][22]. After laying 4-12 eggs, the female will incubate and defend them for about 70 days, only taking occasional breaks to hunt[23]. Recently hatched young range about 30–45 cm (11+3⁄4–17+3⁄4 in) in length[23]. About 2 weeks later they will begin to shed their first skin. Within the next 14 months, hatchlings grow to be about 135 cm (4 ft 5 in) long and are able to breed another 4 months later[23].

Threats and Predators

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Though they are typically in less accessible caves, the top predators of these serpents are birds and mammals[24]. Currently, there is no specific information of the predators of Beauty Rat Snakes available.

Ecosystem Services

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Due to their diets, the Beauty Rat Snakes (as well as other rodent-eating serpents) provide a form of natural pest control that can be a benefit to people and other species that are affected by rodents[25].

Interaction with Humans

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The Beauty Rat Snake is largely traded in the Chinese snake skin and live snake trade[26]. Overall, the Chinese Beauty Snake, Taiwan Beauty Snake and Vietnamese Blue Beauty Snake are the most popular of the subspecies to be kept as pets[27][4]. Pop culture has also been influenced by the Beauty Rat Snake by having Mozler, the main monster from the 1988 Hong Kong film Thunder of Gigantic Serpent, be of the same species. Though Mozler displays a calm temperament, this is seen mainly in captive bred snakes[28]. Wild caught snakes can have difficult dispositions despite being kept as pets for several years[29].

As an Invasive Species

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Though the overall species is native to Asia, certain subspecies have become invasive in regions of Asia to which they are not local. The cause of their invasion varies but one of the leading causes is individuals that have been transported by the pet trade and escaping or being released by owners. Another reason has been military movement of resources which has created routes along which serpents can move[30].

On the island of Okinawa one subspecies of Beauty Rat Snake, suspected to be the Taiwanese Beauty Snake, has been established as an invasive species since the late 1970's. The Taiwanese Beauty Snake was originally brought onto the islands to be displayed at zoos as well as for medicinal purposes but now has spread through forests and urban locations. According to the article Invasive Species of Japan, the "spread of [the Taiwanese Beauty Snake] to northern part of Okinawa Island could threaten endemic and endangered birds and mammals, such as Gallirallus okinawae, Erithacus komadori namiyei, Diplothrix legata, Tokudaia muenninki, etc.[31]" As of yet, there is no further published information on the exact impact of the Taiwanese Beauty Snake's invasion into Okinawa.

Control Strategies

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Policies & Laws
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Currently, according to the Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Act, it is illegal in Japan to own, transport or bring any Taiwanese Beauty Snake into the country[5]. The IAS Act also maintains a list differentiating between Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Uncategorized Alien Species (UAS) and Living Organisms Required to have a Certificate Attached (LORCA) while they are brought into the country. The Taiwanese Beauty Snake is the only subspecies of Beauty Rat Snake labeled as an IAS. The subspecies Orthiophis taeniurus schmackeri is the only one listed as an exemption of the UAS category but all subspecies (exempting the prohibited Taiwanese Beauty Snake) classify as LORCAs[32].

Footnotes

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  1. ^ Orthriophis taeniurus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  2. ^ "Beauty rat snake (Orthriophis taeniurus)". www.thainationalparks.com. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  3. ^ a b "PARIS - Cave Rat Snake". zooparis.wikispaces.com. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  4. ^ a b "Orthriophis taeniurus friesi - Taiwan Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  5. ^ a b "Beauty snake / Invasive Species of Japan". www.nies.go.jp. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  6. ^ "PARIS - Cave Rat Snake". zooparis.wikispaces.com. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  7. ^ "Beauty rat snake (Orthriophis taeniurus)". www.thainationalparks.com. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  8. ^ "Beauty rat snake (Orthriophis taeniurus)". www.thainationalparks.com. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  9. ^ "Orthriophis t. taeniurus - Chinese Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  10. ^ "Chinese Beauty Snake Morph Guide - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  11. ^ "Orthriophis t. ridleyi - Ridley's Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  12. ^ "Orthriophis t. ridleyi - Ridley's Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  13. ^ "Orthriophis taeniurus friesi - Taiwan Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  14. ^ "Orthriophis t. friesi - Taiwan Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  15. ^ "Orthriophis t. callicyanous - Blue Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  16. ^ "Orthriophis t. helfenbergeri – Helfenberger's Beauty Snake - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakes.info. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  17. ^ "Orthriophis taeniurus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  18. ^ "PARIS - Cave Rat Snake". zooparis.wikispaces.com. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  19. ^ "PARIS - Cave Rat Snake". zooparis.wikispaces.com. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  20. ^ "PARIS - Cave Rat Snake". zooparis.wikispaces.com. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  21. ^ "Orthriophis taeniurus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  22. ^ "Beauty rat snake (Orthriophis taeniurus)". www.thainationalparks.com. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  23. ^ a b c "Beauty rat snake (Orthriophis taeniurus)". www.thainationalparks.com. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  24. ^ "PARIS - Cave Rat Snake". zooparis.wikispaces.com. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  25. ^ "PARIS - Cave Rat Snake". zooparis.wikispaces.com. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  26. ^ Zhou, Z.; Jiang, Z. (2004). "International trade status and crisis for snake species in China". Conservation Biology. 18 (5): 1386–1394. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.00251.x.
  27. ^ "Chinese Beauty Snake Morph Guide - Ratsnake Information". www.ratsnakefoundation.org. Retrieved 2017-03-27.
  28. ^ "Beauty rat snake (Orthriophis taeniurus)". www.thainationalparks.com. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  29. ^ "Beauty rat snake (Orthriophis taeniurus)". www.thainationalparks.com. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  30. ^ C., Pitt, William; S., Stahl, Randal; Christi, Yoder, (2010-01-01). "Emerging Challenges of Managing Island Invasive Species: Potential Invasive Species Unintentionally Spread from Military Restructuring". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "Beauty snake / Invasive Species of Japan". www.nies.go.jp. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  32. ^ "Download Limit Exceeded". citeseerx.ist.psu.edu. Retrieved 2017-03-28.

Further reading

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  • Cope, E.D. 1861. Catalogue of the Colubridæ in the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Part 3. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 12 [1860]: 553-566. (Elaphe tæniurus, new species, pp. 565–566).
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