King ratsnake
The king ratsnake is a large, semi-arboreal constrictor from East Asia and is known for its striking olive-yellow coloration and ability to release a foul-smelling musk when threatened
Species
Reptiles
Habitat
Forest
Diet
Carnivore
Conservation Status
Least Concern
King ratsnake
Elaphe carinata
Irish Name: Rínathair francaigh
ICUN Status: Not yet evaluated
Aye-ayes are a small nocturnal species of lemur that can only be found in the wild in Madagascar. They are covered in black or brown fur and have large yellow eyes which help them see in the dark. They are known for their long, thin middle finger which they use to search for food. They have large, sensitive ears that help them detect prey and a long, bushy tail which allows them to balance as they travel along tree branches.
General Information
Zoo location
Zoorassic World
Animal class
Reptilia
Animal order
Squamata
Where do they live (Natural habitat)?
King ratsnakes are found in forests and fields in China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan.
How long do they live?
In the wild, the king ratsnake lives for 15+ years – males living longer than females. In zoos they can live for 20-25 years.
What do they eat?
They eat rodents, birds, birds’ eggs, lizards, other snakes and even other members of its own species.
Group name
They are solitary so do not have a group name.
Closest related species / sister species
The closest relatives of the King ratsnake are the other species of the Elaphe (rat snake) genus.
Fun Facts!
The king ratsnake
Family life
King ratsnakes are oviparous (egg laying). Their typical breeding season in the wild is from early May to late June. Females can lay between 6 – 24 eggs in one clutch. The number of eggs produced is directly related to the size of the female snake. The eggs will be deposited by the female in a safe place, for example, under a log or a hollow in a tree. It can take up to 60 days for the eggs to hatch. There is no parental involvement in raising young King ratsnakes, but the juveniles will stay in the vicinity of their hatch site for one to two years after hatching.
Baby name
Hatchling
Gestation (pregnancy) period
158-172 days
Number of young at birth
6-12 eggs
Age at maturity
King ratsnakes reach maturity at approximately 4 years old.
Adult size
150cm-240cm
Conservation
Still to be evaluated
The King ratsnake is still to be evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Current population estimate
Unknown
Threats
One of the biggest threats facing the king ratsnake in the wild is being captured for the pet trade and the skin trade. They are also used in traditional medicine and a popular source of food in restaurants in China.
Frequently Asked Questions
King ratsnakes are nonvenomous.
They eat rodents, birds, birds’ eggs, lizards, other snakes and even other members of its own species.
They can bite if they feel threatened.
120-200cm
They can bite if they feel threatened.
Snakes do not hibernate but brumate. Brumation is similar to hibernation. Snakes need to brumate in the winter months as they are cold-blooded animals and cannot regulate their body temperature.
Brumation allows the snake to spend most of its time asleep but they do wake up on warmer winter days for some activities such as drinking water.
