The Oriental Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa) is a medium-sized, active, diurnal snake associated with open habitats, including agricultural systems; much of the diet consists of amphibians and commensal rodents. The species has a wide distribution through much of Asia, from Iran to China and Southeast Asia, and has been commercially harvested for the international skin trade since the early 20th century.
From west to east, it occurs in Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The Oriental Rat Snake is not strongly associated with wetland habitats. In the wet season, the species shift to drier areas that do not flood.
The species is also used in the illegal meat trade in China. Under Indonesian legislation, only the harvest of live specimens and skins of the Oriental Rat Snake is permitted; the trade in meat of this species is therefore illegal. During the 1980s, most specimens in trade originated from Java (Indonesia) and Thailand.
However, the trade banned the harvest of the species in 1985, and the distinct decline in export volumes after 1986 from Indonesia was the result of a decreased market demand rather than any negative impact on populations of the Oriental Rat Snake.
General biological and life history characteristics of the species
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The Oriental Rat Snake is a medium-sized, active, non-venomous, diurnal snake associated with open habitats, including agricultural systems.
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Medium-sized snake, reaching about 2.5 m in length and 5–10 cm in girth.
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Males grow longer than females and have larger heads, long tails, and greater body mass than females of the same length
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Reaches maturity at 9 months, 120 cm for females
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Clutch size averages 13
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It may lay 2 clutches per year.
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Widespread generalism thrives in a human-modified environment
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Unknown density and population trends
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No major threats known