Description:
Scientific name: Euprepiophis mandarinus
Life span: 15-20 years
The nonvenomous colubrid snake species known as the Mandarin rat snake (Euprepiophis mandarinus) is unique to Asia. It is a rather little rat snake, reaching adult lengths of slightly more than 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) (body plus tail). Mandarin rat snakes are striking-looking creatures. Like a honeybee, they have black and yellow stripes across their faces. The body is massive black saddles or diamonds with grey, brown, or reddish variations. There is a little yellow diamond inside each black diamond. Its vibrant colors are not the result of genetic morphs like those of other snakes.
Native Region/Habitat
Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Laos, Myanmar, and India. They originate from Asia’s mountainous farmlands and woods, primarily from China, Taiwan, Burma, and Vietnam.
Behavior:
They are a diurnal species that are active largely around dawn and dusk during the day. They enjoy using small rodent holes as cover when hunting. The snake will try to escape if it gets startled. If this doesn’t work, it can hiss, spit, release a strong scent, or bite.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Although they have relatively small bodies and are extremely compact, adults perform well in an enclosure that measures about 4 feet by 2 feet. They like utilizing the space in their enclosure as long as it is properly set up and are active throughout the day.
This means that the vivarium must have a good thermal gradient, providing the animals a hot end of around 28–30°C, a cold end of about 22°C, and an evening dip to about 15°C to mimic a real nocturnal decrease. This can be accomplished most effectively with the use of a basking bulb or ceramic bulb; however, any bulb used will need to have a bulb guard on it as snakes do have a propensity to coil around bulbs.
Mandarin rat snakes thrive on frozen-thawed rodents, preferably mice, and get bigger as they get older. Adults may become large enough to hold a large or X-large mouse. Weekly feedings are appropriate for small children who are still growing, but this can be increased to every other week for adults depending on their physical health.
Mandarin rat snakes require humidity levels that are greater at night and range from 50 to 70% during the day.
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