Asian Beauty Rat Snake Orthriophis taeniurus (prev. Elaphe taeniurus)

The Asian Beauty Rat Snake, also called just the Beauty Rat Snake and the Cave Racer, is native to Southeast Asia. It has several subspecies over its range with their own common names.

The derivation of the name Beauty is apparent (its colouring and patterns). The Cave Racer name refers to its preferred habitat of rocky forest caves. It is semi-arboreal.

One of the largest rat snakes, it grows to some 6-7 feet length (2 metres). Prey is small mammals and birds which are constricted.

One such subspecies, shown above, is the Taiwan Beauty Rat Snake (O. t. friesei) native to Taiwan.