Elaphe schrencki - Russian Ratsnake

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29 Apr 2010

Common Names: Russian Ratsnake, Amur Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Elaphe schrencki
First Described: STRAUCH, 1873

CAPTIVE CARE NOTES

Adult Size:
140-180cm

Temperament:
Docile & Inquizative

Temperature Range:
25°C (77°F) - 21°C(70°F) with a hot spot of 28°C (82°F)

Humidity Requirements:
Large Water Bowl

Brumation:
47-54°F (8-12°C) for 3-4 months

Reproduction:
Between 6 and 30 eggs are laid per clutch hatching from 35 to 60 days at an incubation temperature of between 25-29°C

Known Mutations:
Melanistic, Striped, Anerythristic

Natural History:
Also called the 'Manchurian Watersnake' as the name suggests, this species inhabits fairly moist biotopes. Forest clearings, scrub, farmland, hiding amongst cavities in trees, piles of stone or wood, and when threatened can flee up a tree or into the water. E. schrencki has been noted up to 6m high in trees.
This species lives in regions with altitudes up to 2000m.

In the wild the diet of Elaphe schrencki includes, Rats, Mice, Birds including their Eggs and Bats.

Native To:
China, Korea, Russia, Mongolia.

Scale Counts:
Ventrals: 200-236
Subcaudals: 55-78
Dorsals: 21-23