Steppes Rat Snake

Scientific Name: Elaphe Dione

The Steppes Rat Snake is a beautiful reptile common in Asia. The reptile has common names such as Steppes ratsnake or Dione ratsnake. It is a small and non-venomous with particular dull and blotched coloration of olive-brown with twin spots. It is not a common species in America. The Elaphe dione has a length between 60 cm to 70 cm though some specimens have been documented at a record of 120 cm. Both males and females appear to be of the same sizes contrary to other types of snakes. This reptile is recognized as rodents predator since it feeds on plenty of small mammals and rats. Steppes Rat Snake is a calm reptile that adapts faster and is quite inexpensive to maintain. Its incubation lasts for a period of 21 days. In order to induce reproductive cycle, this reptile requires lengthy period of hibernation of about 90 to 150 days. Breeders recommend longer period for satisfactory results. Different subspecies of Ukraine and Chinese origins have varied colorations

Steppes Rat Snakes Are Beautiful Creatures

Facts About Steppes Rat Snakes

Geographic Location

Steppes Rat Snake is famous in the Eastern Europe, eastern China, East Russia, South and North Korea. Some are encountered in China and in parts of America under captivity.

Habitat

It lives in dry, hot, sandy, arid regions, old walls and crevices.

Behavior

Elaphe dione is a relatively slow reptile with great temperament of gentleness. It lives well in cages and cheap to maintain since it eats nearly everything. The species in Korea seems to be faster and swift as compared to others. It rattles the tail and produces smell to scare enemies.

Reproduction

The reptile has one of the longest duration of copulation among snakes lasting for about 20 hours. The female hibernates and sheds, it stops eating in March, and it then lays eggs that hatch to young ones numbering three to eight.