Copperhead Racer

The copperhead racer, also known as the radiated rat snake, is a common species throughout Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Borneo. Known mostly from the lowlands, this diurnal rat snake also thrives in disturbed areas, including urban centers (near fragments of secondary forest). An aggressive snake that will strike readily when threatened, it also employs a death-feigning method when all else fails. The upper half is yellowish brown, becoming more orange from mid-body onwards. A broad dark dorsolateral stripe also extends from near the nape, fading away towards the lower body. It feeds on rodents, frogs and lizards in the wild.