Description:
Scientific name: Ptyas mucosa
Life span: 11 years
Ptyas mucosa is a widespread non-venomous species of colubrid snake. It is also known as the Oriental Rat Snake, Indian Rat Snake, Darash, or Dhaman. They might be light brown in dry areas or practically black in wet forest areas. These snakes move quickly and are not deadly. They usually inhabit metropolitan environments where rodents thrive and consume a variety of prey.
Native Region/Habitat
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, West Malaysia, Nepal, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, and Nepal are among the countries that have Oriental rat snakes. They live in agriculture, wetlands, rice fields, forest floors, and suburbs.
Behavior:
Oriental rat snakes are lone individuals. They are semi-arboreal and nocturnal. These snakes move quickly and are extremely excited, despite the fact that they are harmless to people. Those who are kept in captivity are nevertheless territorial and may continue to aggressively defend their territory by attempting to startle or strike at passing things. Adults snarl and extend their necks in response to threats. Attempting to bite if captured.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
One or two adults can comfortably live in a terrarium that measures 36 inches long by 12 inches tall, and 12 inches deep. It performs best on a substrate of a few inches of aspen bedding. Your anthill python will feel safe and cozy if there are a few hides—one at either end of the enclosure. Create a hot zone of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit at one end of the enclosure using an under tank heating pad. Otherwise, the rest of the enclosure’s ambient temperature should be maintained at roughly 80 degrees.
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