Recommended meat snake species: These meat snakes are suitable for breeding
Did you know how many species of snakes exist in our country? According to statistics, there are as many as 173 species of snakes in China, of which 48 are venomous and the rest are non-venomous. Meat snakes refer to non-venomous snakes that are large in size, grow quickly, and are commonly eaten or used medicinally. To help @#@246@#@ farmers become familiar with and understand their living and production performance, the following introduces several meat snake species that are large in size, grow quickly, develop well, lay many eggs (or give birth to many young), have tender meat, and offer good breeding returns.
The black-browed ratsnake is commonly known as the home snake, yellow long worm, cauliflower snake, three-stripe line, broad snake, etc. Adult snakes are about 1.5-2.2 m long, with a distinct black stripe behind the eye extending to the neck, which is how the name "black-browed" came about. It is the main snake species used for snake hot pot, snake meat skewers, and roasted snake slices. The female snake lays 7-15 eggs.
The oriental rat snake, commonly known as the black snake, water rat snake, black whip, smooth black, black medicinal snake, etc., has an adult body length of up to 2 m. Its dorsal color ranges from greenish brown and tan to dark brown, and it can also be divided into yellow rat snake, green rat snake, and black rat snake. Two black lines run the full length of the body, and these black lines gradually fade on the rear part of the adult snake's body. Li Shizhen (Compendium of Materia Medica) gave a detailed explanation of its edible and medicinal value. In today's society, the oriental rat snake is once again being recognized for its unique food, medicinal, and health-care effects. The traditional medicinal black snake is the dried product of this snake, and its skin can be used to make high-grade handicrafts. The snake or its gall bladder can be separately steeped to make "black snake wine" or "black snake gall wine," which are deeply welcomed by consumers at home and abroad. This snake grows quickly, has strong adaptability, high disease resistance, and sells well on the market, making it very suitable for artificial breeding. The female snake lays 7-30 eggs each time, and the incubation period is 45-50 days.
The king ratsnake is commonly known as the rapeseed flower snake, king snake, brocade snake, cauliflower snake, king-character-head snake, etc. Its body length is nearly 2 m. It has omnivorous feeding habits, moves agilely, is fierce in nature, and grows quickly. It is one of the most popular meat snakes with a large market volume. Its egg-laying period is in July, and it lays 8-15 eggs each time.
The red banded snake is commonly known as fire red chain, red hundred-joint snake, red-spotted snake, red 48-joint, etc. Its pattern and color are red and black alternating in spots, and it is one of the main raw materials widely used for medicinal wine. The "ginseng snake wine" brewed in the three northeastern provinces uses this snake, and it has an excellent effect in treating rheumatism. Its gall bladder can be used as medicine. This snake gives birth to live young, 7-12 at a time.
The beauty rat snake is commonly known as white flower snake, flower snake, chrysanthemum snake, etc. It is one of the main snake species used for food. Its meat and gall bladder are used to make "five-snake wine" and "five-snake gall wine." In the Guangdong and Guangxi region, this fresh snake or its dried product is commonly used to steep wine for treating rheumatism, joint pain, and other conditions.
The oriental ratsnake is commonly known as water rat snake, grass brocade snake, yellow boudoir snake, etc. Its body length is more than 2 m. The top of the head is dark brown, the posterior margin is black, and the lip scales are pale yellow. It is similar in color to the oriental rat snake, but without black lines running through the body. Because its skin is large and thick, it is regarded as one of the "finest quality" raw materials. Both the snake and its gall bladder can be used as medicine, and it is a good remedy for treating rheumatism.
The Indo-Chinese rat snake is commonly known as yellow-bellied dragon, golden strip, yellow-tip snake, mountain-crossing dragon, etc. Its body length reaches more than 2 m. It can be used to prey on yellow rats and is one of the raw materials for brewing "three-snake wine." Both its gall bladder and meat can be used as medicine, mainly for treating rheumatic conditions.
The Manchurian black rat snake is commonly known as yellow medicinal pine, yellow long worm, black worm. Adult snakes are 1.5-2 m long, and feed on rodents and birds. It is one of the commonly used non-venomous snakes.
The tiger keelback is commonly known as pheasant neck, red-necked snake, pheasant spot, etc. Its body length is nearly 1 m. The body is mainly green, with orange-red and black spots (patterns) mixed in the front part of the body, and only black spots in the rear part. The belly is green. It is used for both food and medicine. People in Northeast China especially like this snake and often use it to brew "ginseng snake wine."