Elaphe carinata

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King ratsnake

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1
)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Elaphe
Species:
E. carinata
Binomial name
Elaphe carinata
(Günther, 1864)

Elaphe carinata, the king ratsnake, is a species of Colubrid snake found in Southeast and East Asia.

Description

Elaphe carinata is a large species of snake with total length up to 240 cm (7.9 ft). It is an active, predatory snake that eats everything from beetles to birds to snakes, with particular preference for the latter.[1]

Taxonomy

Etymology

The common name refers to its habit of eating other snakes, including venomous species such as the

sharp-nosed viper
. It suffocates its prey by constriction, similar to the hunting technique of boas and pythons. Elaphe carinata also preys on rodents and other small animals.

It is also known as Taiwan stink snake and stinking goddess which refer to this species' highly developed post-anal glands that are frequently emptied when the snake is picked up, resulting in a very strong, bad odour.[1]

Classification

While there may be some speculation among herpetoculturists that the king ratsnake could be more closely related to the kingsnakes of the genus Lampropeltis than the other ratsnakes in the genus Elaphe, there is very little direct genetic relationship between the two genera. This perceived similarity is due in part to the dietary habits of the king ratsnake, in particular its preference for ectothermic prey such as snakes and lizards, and to the physical structure of the head, which is far less distinct than that of most rat snakes and closely resembles the elongated head and indistinct neck structure of the kingsnakes.

In actuality, they share much in common genetically with other Eurasian rat snakes such as the Russian rat snake (

Morelia viridis
).

Distribution

Elaphe carinata is found in China, northern Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan (Ryukyu Islands).[2]

Commercial use

Elaphe carinata is one of the major species in the snake trade in China, particularly in skin trade but also of live animals;[3] it is the most commonly available snake in restaurants.[1][4]

The king rat snake is also uncommonly found in the exotic pet trade.

References

  1. ^ a b c Hans Breuer & William Christopher Murphy (2009–2010). "Elaphe carinata". Snakes of Taiwan. Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  2. ^ Elaphe carinata at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 15 October 2012.
  3. S2CID 84766216
    .
  4. ^ Corn Snakes and other Rat Snakes, Richard D. Bartlett, copyright 1996, Barron's Educational Series

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Elaphe.
Wikispecies has information related to Elaphe carinata.


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