# beauty rat snake (*Orthriophis taeniurus*) The beauty rat snake is a colorful snake that can be found in many places. It has beautiful patterns that help it blend in with trees and bushes. These snakes are friendly and not dangerous to people. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Beauty Snake, Taiwanese Rat Snake ![beauty rat snake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Orthriophis-taeniurus-sch%C3%B6nnatter.jpg&width=800) Photo: Holger Krisp, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Orthriophis-taeniurus-sch%C3%B6nnatter.jpg) ## Appearance The beauty rat snake has a slender body with striking patterns, typically yellowish-brown to olive, adorned with prominent black stripes or checkerboard markings. Its head can be yellowish or reddish, often with a distinct black stripe extending from the eye to the neck. These bold markings make it visually distinct. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Elaphe ## Interesting facts - Beauty rat snakes can be quite curious, often peeking out from their hiding spots! - Despite their size, these impressive snakes are not venomous and are harmless to humans! - Some beauty rat snakes have glowing irises, making their eyes look like golden jewels! - They are sometimes called 'cave racers' for their surprising speed in dark places! ## Special abilities - **Constricting Power:** Beauty rat snake can squeeze its prey because of its strong, muscular body that helps them overpower small animals. - **Climbing Prowess:** Beauty rat snake can climb trees and structures because of its agile body and specialized scales that helps them hunt and escape. - **Camouflage Master:** Beauty rat snake has diverse color patterns that helps them blend into different environments, making it hard for predators to spot. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 160-240 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-2.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-15 - **Incubation:** 60-90 days ## Diet & Feeding This adaptable snake eats small mammals, birds, and eggs to keep its energy up! - **Primary Foods:** Mice, Rats, Squirrels, Birds, Bird Eggs, Lizards - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [black rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — A primary food source in many habitats. - **Hunts:** [house sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Climbs to nests for eggs and chicks. - **Eaten by:** crested serpent eagle (*Spilornis cheela*) — A common bird of prey in its native range. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a snake, it's best to admire it from a distance and not touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify beauty rat snake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is beauty rat snake? 160-240 cm ### How much does beauty rat snake weigh? 0.5-2.5 kg ### How long does beauty rat snake live? 10-20 years ### How fast can beauty rat snake move? 5 km/h ### What does beauty rat snake eat? This adaptable snake eats small mammals, birds, and eggs to keep its energy up! ### Where is beauty rat snake usually found? Forests ### How does beauty rat snake hunt? Ambush ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Beauty Rat Snake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/beauty-rat-snake)