Rat snake
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 18 2020:
Manipur has recorded presence of another rat snake called "Mandarin rat snake" .
The snake specimen was discovered by members of Wild Life Explorer Manipur and wildlife photographers, Harmenn Huidrom of Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai and Bendong Ngangom of Luwangshangbam Matai in April last year near Koubru Peak in a bamboo meadow.
The specimen was verified by herpetologist, Jayaditya Purkayastha; Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and National University of Singapore.
The Mandarin rat snake (Euprepiophis mandarinus) is a species of non-venomous colubrid snake endemic to Asia and is one of the most popular rat snakes found in the pet trade.
It is a secretive species, often using rodent burrows for shelter.
They are predominately crepuscular, feed primarily on small rodents and prefer cooler temperatures.