| Orthriophis | |
|---|---|
| Beauty Snake (Orthriophis taeniurus) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Orthriophis Utiger et al., 2002 |
Orthriophis is a genus of four ratsnakes that were formerly assigned to Elaphe. Based on DNA evidence Utiger et al. elected to create this genus in 2002.[1] The name derives from the Greek orthros for dawn and ophis for snake, referring to the snakes high level of activity in the early morning.
Species include: