Common Malayan Racer

Southeast Asia Snakes

Snakes ~ Rat Snakes ~ Common Malayan Racer

The common Malayan racer is an attractive rat snake with a complex colouration. There is a orange vertebral stripe that runs from quarter way, which gradually tapers off into the rest of the dark greyish colouration that permeates the body. Along the sides are an elaborate network of chequered-like patterns of black splotches and white dashes. The neck and head is brownish yellow. A stripe runs through the eye to the lower jaw in adults while juveniles lack this stripe.

The common Malayan racer is a terrestial rat snake and can be found in lowland to upper-level rainforest, occasionally near agricultural areas. It occurs sympatrically with the similiar Elaphe radiatus but is less common. This rat snake species will eat a wide variety of prey including frogs, lizards and rodents. It has an aggressive disposition and bites readily when threatened. In Southeast Asia, this species also occurs in Borneo and Indonesia (Java).