Japanese striped snake

Japanese striped snake

Japanese four-lined ratsnake

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Elaphe quadrivirgata

Elaphe quadrivirgata, commonly known as the Japanese four-lined ratsnake or the Japanese striped snake (Japanese: shimahebi = striped snake), is a species of non-venomous colubrid snake native to Japan.

Appearance

It typically grows to a length of 1-1.5 m (40–60 in). The snake has a yellow or light brown ground color, and gets its scientific and common names from the four black lengthwise stripes sported by most individuals of the species. All-black variants exist; these are known in Japan as karasu-hebi (crow snakes).

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Juveniles are reddish, and instead of lengthwise stripes have crosswise stripes and a spotted pattern similar to some venomous snakes. photophoto

The dorsal scales, which are weakly keeled in adults but may be smooth in juveniles, are arranged in 19 rows. The ventrals, which are angulate laterally, number 193–210. The anal scale is usually divided, and the subcaudals, which are also divided (paired), number 70–96.

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Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

It is found in all areas of Japan apart from the Ryukyu Islands.

Habits and Lifestyle

Elaphe quadrivirgata is an active, diurnal snake.

Lifestyle

Diet and Nutrition

It feeds on a variety of prey items, including frogs, lizards, insects, rodents, as well as birds and their eggs.

Population

References

1. Japanese striped snake Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_striped_snake
2. Japanese striped snake on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/47755783/47755792

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