Taiwan+Beauty+Rat+Snake

toc //Elaphe taeniurus friesi// Order: Squamata

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Diet Requirements

 * In the wild, Taiwan beauty snakes eat birds, rats, and mice.
 * In captivity, they are fed mice or rats.

Notes on Enrichment & Training


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Potential Messaging


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Range and Habitat
The species //Elaphe taeniura// is widely distributed throughout China, Burma, Laos, and Assam. The Taiwan beauty snake, a subspecies, is native to Taiwan. Although it prefers forest, it has adapted to many different habitats, from heavy forest to cultivated fields and even in the vicinity of human dwellings and grain storage areas.

Physical Description
Taiwan beauty snakes have a gray to tan or yellow background color with dark brown blotches towards the head and dark stripes towards the tail. From each eye a dark stripe extends to the corner of the mouth. The body is generally slender. Adults can be 4.5 to 8 feet in length.

Life Cycle
Beauty snakes lay 4 to 5 white eggs per clutch. The eggs hatch after an incubation period of 70 to 75 days. This snake breeds readily in captivity. Taiwan beauty snakes can live 12 to 15 years.

Behavior
Taiwan beauty snakes make for docile and hardy pets. These diurnal snakes are excellent climbers.

Threats and Conservation Status
Taiwan beauty snakes are not considered endangered.

=__Did you know…__=
 * Beauty snakes are kept in houses for rodent control. This is in part why this species has such a wide distribution.
 * Taiwan beauty snakes are also used for their meat (a popular dish in restaurants, and also considered to contain medicinal properties) and skin (to make handbags and shoes.)

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=__Contributors and Citations__=
 * The Philadelphia Zoo