Is the white-striped rat snake venomous? Read this one article to understand the truth about its toxicity

The white-striped rat snake, also known as the black-spotted snake, hemp snake, pillow-striped rat snake, etc., is a snake of the genus Elaphe in the family Colubridae. It is a national "three haves" protected animal. Its head is slightly oval, and its body and tail are relatively slender, with a total length of about 1 m. It has a relatively docile temperament and moves rather slowly. Let's take a look below at whether the white-striped rat snake is venomous!

Is the white-striped rat snake venomous?

The white-striped rat snake is non-venomous. The white-striped rat snake is a widely distributed non-venomous snake in northern China. In China, it is mainly distributed in Beijing, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shanghai, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, ** and other places.

Habits of the white-striped rat snake

The white-striped rat snake lives in plains, hills or mountainous areas and grasslands, and inhabits fields, grave mounds, grassy slopes, forest areas, riversides and nearby areas. It is also commonly seen in vegetable gardens and near farm chicken coops and livestock pens. It mainly preys on geckos, lizards, rodents, small birds and bird eggs. Juveniles also swallow insects. On clear days, it comes out to be active during the day and in the evening. In northern regions, it begins hibernation in early October and emerges from hibernation in late April of the following year.

How to keep the white-striped rat snake

The white-striped rat snake is relatively easy to keep, and it generally starts feeding. Do not rush to feed a newly acquired snake. Keep it for a few days first to let it become familiar with the environment. When feeding it for the first time, place it in the rearing box and avoid startling or disturbing it. After eating a few times, it will actively take food, and it will even eat while being held in the hand. Adult snakes can be fed small mice, small birds and bird eggs; juvenile snakes can be fed small lizards and geckos; subadults can be fed pinky mice and lizards. Place a water dish in the rearing box, do not let it be too damp, and keep it clean, ventilated and dry. The substrate can be wood shavings or old newspapers. Finally, do not forget to build it a hiding place with an old flower pot or clay jar.