Description:
Scientific name: Ptyas carinata
Life span: 10-15 years
The keeled rat snake, also known as Ptyas carinata, is a type of colubrid snake. The head is wider than the body, and the body has a cross-section that is roughly triangular. With a thin head that is often flat and black in color on top with lighted coloration along the jaw, there are large round eyes with round pupils.
Native Region/Habitat
It can be found in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, India, and Vietnam.
Behavior:
Like many other rat snakes, the keeled rat snake will enlarge its neck when threatened. Instead of exhibiting the infamous “hood” seen on cobra species, the keeled rat’s neck extends vertically, making them appear taller. a reasonable defensive strategy, albeit it could be disconcerting to a novice. Although a mature snake’s bite can be somewhat painful, these snakes rarely pose a threat to people and contain no venom. They nearly always retreat when they smell you coming. They will easily musk if handled, too.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
- An adult requires a terrarium that is at least 150x60x60 inches in size. We advise keeping large creatures in terrariums that are at least 1 times their length overall and 0.4 times their length, width, and height. Juvenile animals can be raised in a 60x45x45-inch terrarium or temporarily in a flat fauna box because they are already rather huge when they hatch.
- The typical temperature ranges from 22°C on the cool side to 26°C on the warm side, with a hot area between 28°C and 30°C.
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