Ptyas fusca

Ptyas fusca, commonly known as the white-bellied rat snake or brown rat snake,[1][2] is a species of colubrid snake. It is found in Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.[3]

Ptyas fusca
Adult snake in threat display in Venus Drive, Singapore.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Ptyas
Species:
P. fusca
Binomial name
Ptyas fusca
(Günther, 1858)
Synonyms
  • Coryphodon fuscus Günther 1858
  • Zaocys fuscus Günther 1864
  • Zapyrus fuscus Boulenger 1885
  • Zaocys (Zapyrus) fuscus Boettger 1887
  • Zaocys fuscus Boulenger 1893
  • Ptyas fuscus Wall 1923
  • Zaocys fuscus Grandison 1978
  • Zaocys fuscusv Manthey 1983
  • Ptyas fuscus David & Vogel 1996
  • Ptyas fuscus Cox et al. 1998
  • Ptyas fuscus Malkmus et al. 2002
  • Ptyas fusca David & Das 2004

The white-bellied rat snake prefers forested habitats. They are known to prey on frogs and lizards and fish. It is known to remain still and hold neck erect when disturbed-a threatening posture.

The adults range from brown to brick-red colour on the upper surface. Ventral scales are white to pale yellowish in colour. Thick black stripes on either side of the posterior body and tail is a characteristic feature. Juveniles often greenish in coloration. The pupil is rounded and large.[4]

References
  1. "Ptyas fusca". uBIO. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  2. "Ptyas fusca". Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  3. "Ptyas fusca". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  4. http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/white-bellied_rat_snake.htm
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