Ptyas major

(Günther, 1858)

Vernacular names
English : Chinese green snake
French : Serpent ratier vert de Chine

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

Identification
Adults can reach a maximum length of 1.20 m but are generally no longer than 90 cm. Very smooth scales, large eyes. Coloration is bright emerald green on back, sometimes with black dots. Belly, lower flanks and throat yellowish.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South East Asia in Lao, north Vietnam, south China, Hong Kong, Hainan and Taiwan. Mostly found in humid forests, shrublands and grasslands, up to 1700 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is endangered because of habitat loss leading to range fragmentation and global decline of most of its populations.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Ratsnakes and other colubrids” page