Ptyas fusca

(Günther, 1858)

Vernacular names
English : White-bellied rat snake, Brown rat snake
French : Serpent ratier à ventre blanc

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Colubridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows up to 3 meters in length. Body quite slender with a distinct triangular cross-section. The head is small but with very big eyes. Coloration generally coppery-brown with a longitudinal yellow dorsal line edged with black on most of the snake’s length except the first centimeters behind the head. Throat and belly whitish.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South East Asia, from Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia to Borneo, Sumatra and nearby smaller islands. Found in submontane and lowland forests, often near streams.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : So far, no threats to this species’ future are known but deforestation is ongoing within the species’ range and this needs to be monitored.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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