Chinese Rat Snake (Ptyas korros)

Common Name: Chinese Rat Snake
Scientific Name: Ptyas korros
Source: WC
Adult Size: 150–200cm (up to approximately 6.5ft)
Native Range: South and Southeast Asia, including southern China, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and surrounding regions

Enclosure: A minimum 180×60×60cm Viperia PVC vivarium is recommended for adults — this active, large-bodied species needs the space. Furnish with a secure-fitting lid, a loose bioactive-style or bark-chip substrate to retain some humidity, multiple hides at each end of the thermal gradient, and sturdy branches or shelves to allow climbing and exploration.
Heating: Aim for a basking spot of around 30–32°C, with a cool-end ambient of 24–26°C. A gentle night-time drop to 20–22°C is acceptable and mirrors natural conditions.
Humidity: Maintain ambient humidity at around 60–70%, rising briefly after misting. Achieve this with regular light misting, a moisture-retaining substrate, and a humid hide packed with damp sphagnum moss — avoid keeping it consistently sodden, as stagnant damp conditions can cause skin and respiratory issues.
UVB: A 6% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width, positioned so the animal can bask 25–35cm beneath it. This diurnal (day-active) species naturally experiences moderate levels of sunlight in open woodland and forest-edge habitats, making a quality UVB source an important part of their long-term welfare.
Diet: Chinese Rat Snakes are enthusiastic feeders that readily take appropriately sized defrosted mice or rats in captivity. Juveniles can be offered a meal every 5–7 days; adults every 10–14 days. Feed prey items no wider than the thickest part of the snake's body.

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The Chinese Rat Snake is a slender, fast-moving colubrid (a large family of typically non-venomous snakes) native to a broad sweep of South and Southeast Asian habitats — from bamboo thickets and paddy fields to forest edges and rural farmland. With their iridescent, lightly keeled scales and alert, intelligent demeanour, they are genuinely striking animals that reward attentive keepers.

These are active, inquisitive snakes that benefit from a well-enriched enclosure and a keeper who enjoys interacting with a responsive animal. They can be nippy when young but typically settle well with calm, consistent handling, making them a rewarding choice for intermediate keepers ready to move beyond the most commonly kept species.