Radiated Rat Snake
Scientific Name: Elaphe Radiata
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The Radiated Rat Snake is also referred to as the Copperhead Rat Snake. Elaphe radiata is the scientific name referring to the Radiated Rat Snake. The Radiated Rat Snake grows up to 60 inches in length, but can reach up to almost 70 inches. They are large polyphyletic meaning that they are non-venomous snakes. They belong to the Eukarya domain. Their classification is as follows the Colubroidea superfamily, the Acrochordidae family, the Colubrinae subfamily and the Elaphe genus.
Radiated Rat Snakes Are Beautiful Creatures
Facts About Radiated Rat Snakes
Geographic Location
Elaphe radiata is largely distributed over South East Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Laos, North of Malaysia North, Burma, and South of China
Habitat
They thrive in humid areas of about 25 OC to 29OC with a few dry hiding areas.
Behavior
They are extremely active and speedy snakes. They are also quite aggressive in nature and can attack when agitated. However, the bites are superficial that are non-venomous in nature. They are primarily terrestrial, spending a lot of time on the ground. They are however, skilled climbers but rarely do so.
Reproduction
The species sexually matures after eighteen months. The eggs are usually laid about forty-five days after the male and female mate. A female can lay up to eleven eggs. Most snakes however, lay from five to seven eggs. The eggs hatch between 60 and 70 days. The hatchlings are between 10 and 12 inches long. These hatchlings shed after approximately one week from the time they hatch. They should be fed on pinkie mice until they are large enough to feed on the fuzzy mice. The species breeds all year round. Thus with good care these snakes are relatively nice pets.
Captivity
Since they are neither are federally or state protected, they are common as pets being easily located in most of Asia.
