Oriental Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosus)

Common Name: Oriental Rat Snake
Scientific Name: Ptyas mucosus
Source: WC
Adult Size: 1.5–2m, occasionally reaching up to 2.5m
Native Range: South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and southern China

Enclosure: A minimum 180×60×60cm Viperia PVC vivarium for an adult — this is a large, active species that needs significant floor space to roam. Provide a secure-fitting lid, a deep substrate of topsoil or coco coir to retain some moisture, multiple hides at both the warm and cool ends, and sturdy branches or raised platforms to encourage natural exploratory behaviour.
Heating: Basking spot of 32°C; ambient cool end of 24–26°C; a slight night-time drop to around 20–22°C is acceptable and beneficial
Humidity: 60–75%; achieved by partially covering the ventilation, misting the enclosure one to two times daily, and using a moisture-retaining substrate
UVB: A 6% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width, positioned so the snake can bask approximately 20–30cm from it — Oriental Rat Snakes are active, diurnal (day-active) animals that encounter strong sunlight in the wild and will benefit greatly from meaningful UVB exposure
Diet: Primarily mice and rats in captivity; juveniles can be offered appropriately sized mice once every 5–7 days, while adults do well on larger prey every 10–14 days. Always offer pre-killed or frozen-and-thawed prey for safety

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The Oriental Rat Snake is a large, slender, and strikingly fast colubrid (a member of the largest family of snakes) found across a vast range of South and Southeast Asian habitats, from farmland and forest edges to riverside vegetation. Known in many regions as a valuable natural pest controller, this species earns its common name honestly — it is an efficient and enthusiastic hunter with a bold, curious personality that makes it stand out among Asian snakes in the hobby.

These are not a species for the faint-hearted beginner — their size, speed, and strong feeding response demand a keeper who is confident handling large, alert snakes. That said, well-socialised individuals can become remarkably interactive and are genuinely rewarding to keep for experienced reptile enthusiasts looking for something a little different to the more commonly kept pythons and boas.