Japanese Rat Snake

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Japanese Rat Snake

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Elaphe
Species:	E. climacophora

Binomial name

Elaphe climacophora
(Boie, 1826)

The Japanese Rat Snake (Elaphe climacophora) is a medium sized snake found throughout the Japanese archipelago (except the far South West). In Japanese it is known as the Aodaishō or "Blue General". It is a non-venomous snake, and a member of the Colubrid family.

Adults reach a length of between one and two meters and a girth of about five centimeters, and is the largest Japanese snake outside of Okinawa. The colour is rather variable, from pale yellow-green to a dark blue-green. The young snakes have a pattern of brown stripes, which may be an example of mimesis to the venomous mamushi. An albino form is known, especially around Iwakuni, where they are know and revered as "Iwakuni White Snakes". The albino population was protected in 1924 as a "National Monument".

Japanese rat snakes eat a variety of small animals: rodents, frogs or lizards. They are strong climbers and often raid birds nests. They were favoured by farmers as effective rat control (though unpopular with chicken rearers). Natural enemies include Eagles and Raccoon Dogs.

The snakes hibernate for three to four months, mate in spring and lay 7-20 eggs in early summer.