White Bellied Rat Snake

Southeast Asia Snakes

Snakes ~ Rat Snakes ~ White Bellied Rat Snake

The white bellied rat snake is an uncommon rat snake species that inhabits lowland and mid-level rainforest. Its primary colouration on the body is grey but it becomes reddish brown from mid-body onwards. A black lateral stripe starts two-thirds down the body and stretches till the tail tip. The ventrals are yellowish white. The eyes are large and bulb-like while the irises are bluish along with the tongue.

Juveniles have more intense colouration than adults; the grey on the upper body is tinged with either bright green or blue hues. This rat snake prefers to hunt frogs and lizards in the wild and is quite adept at climbing despite being a terrestial species. It is active during the day and night and has a shy but gentle disposition, rarely biting. In Southeast Asia, this species ranges from Thailand to Malaysia and Singapore to Borneo and Indonesia.