Persian Ratsnake
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| Persian Ratsnake | ||||||||||||||
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| Elaphe persica (Werner, 1913) |
The Persian Ratsnake (Elaphe persica) is a small ratsnake from temperate northwestern Iran and near the Caspian Sea area. It is 70 to 90 cm (up to 120 cm) long and usually jet black or grey with white markings along the lateral portion of its forebody; males seem to grow larger than females. E. persica has habits very similar to E. situla, and for many years it was considered a subspecies of E. longissima. It was granted full species status in 1984 (Nilson and Andrew). It is principally regarded as a terrestrial species, spending most of its time in the leaf litter; however, it is also an agile climber and will mount low brush. Its diet, like most colubrids, is comprised primarily of small mammals but it may also eat other small reptiles and amphibians.
The snake lays a clutch of 4-8 eggs, which hatch after 45-55 days of incubation. A hibernation period of 2-3 months is recommended.
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