Rhinoceros Ratsnake
Encyclopedia
Rhinoceros Ratsnake also known as Rhinoceros Snake, Rhino Rat Snake, Vietnamese Longnose Snake, Green Unicorn, found from Northern Vietnam
to Southern China
, has a prominent, distinctive, scaled protrusion on the front of its snout which has led to its common naming after mythical unicorn
s and some species of rhinoceros
which feature a single horn on the front of their snouts. This species of ratsnake is named for Belgian-British biologist George Albert Boulenger
.
including Tam Dao, Southern China
. 10 specimens observed in Yên Bái Province
, Northern Vietnam
during a 2001 survey.
19.
, and mostly nocturnal, hunting small mice
and other rodent
s, bird
s and perhaps other vertebrate
prey. Oviparous, its mating season from April to May may produce 5 to 10 eggs in a clutch
. After 60 days' incubation, hatchling
s are 30-35 cm total length, brownish grey with dark edges on several dorsal scales
. As they mature Rhinoceros Ratsnakes change color to steel grey at about 12-14 months, then to a bluish green or green adult hue at about 24 month. However, a rare few individuals maintain their steel grey subadult color and do not pass into ordinarily mature color phase.
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
to Southern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, has a prominent, distinctive, scaled protrusion on the front of its snout which has led to its common naming after mythical unicorn
Unicorn
The unicorn is a legendary animal from European folklore that resembles a white horse with a large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead, and sometimes a goat's beard...
s and some species of rhinoceros
Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros , also known as rhino, is a group of five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia....
which feature a single horn on the front of their snouts. This species of ratsnake is named for Belgian-British biologist George Albert Boulenger
George Albert Boulenger
George Albert Boulenger FRS was a Belgian-British zoologist who identified over 2000 new animal species, chiefly fish, reptiles and amphibians.-Life:...
.
Distribution
Northern VietnamVietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
including Tam Dao, Southern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. 10 specimens observed in Yên Bái Province
Yen Bai Province
Yên Bái is an agricultural-based province located in Tay Bac, the northern part of northern-central Vietnam. It shares borders with five provinces which are Lao Cai province, Lai Chau province, Son La province, Tuyen Quang province, and Phu Tho province...
, Northern Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
during a 2001 survey.
Description
Adult size 100-160 cm total length. Scale Count: DorsalsDorsal scales
In snakes, the dorsal scales are the longitudinal series of plates that encircle the body, but do not include the ventral scales.When counting dorsal scales, numbers are often given for three points along the body, for example 19:21:17...
19.
Natural history
Rhinoceros Ratsnakes inhabit subtropical rainforests at elevations between 300 and 1100 m, particularly valleys with streams. They are generally arborealArboreal locomotion
Arboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In every habitat in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some animals may only scale trees occasionally, while others are exclusively arboreal. These habitats pose numerous mechanical challenges to animals...
, and mostly nocturnal, hunting small mice
Mouse
A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse . It is also a popular pet. In some places, certain kinds of field mice are also common. This rodent is eaten by large birds such as hawks and eagles...
and other rodent
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
s, bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s and perhaps other vertebrate
Vertebrate
Vertebrates are animals that are members of the subphylum Vertebrata . Vertebrates are the largest group of chordates, with currently about 58,000 species described. Vertebrates include the jawless fishes, bony fishes, sharks and rays, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds...
prey. Oviparous, its mating season from April to May may produce 5 to 10 eggs in a clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
. After 60 days' incubation, hatchling
Hatchling
In oviparous biology, a hatchling is the newborn of animals that develop and emerge from within hard-shell eggs. The offspring of birds are often hatched naked and with their eyes closed. The hatchling relies totally on its parents for feeding and warmth. Hatchlings precede nestlings in the chick's...
s are 30-35 cm total length, brownish grey with dark edges on several dorsal scales
Dorsal scales
In snakes, the dorsal scales are the longitudinal series of plates that encircle the body, but do not include the ventral scales.When counting dorsal scales, numbers are often given for three points along the body, for example 19:21:17...
. As they mature Rhinoceros Ratsnakes change color to steel grey at about 12-14 months, then to a bluish green or green adult hue at about 24 month. However, a rare few individuals maintain their steel grey subadult color and do not pass into ordinarily mature color phase.
External links
- Captive care of Rhino ratsnakes(Rhynchophis boulengeri) from Adam Wilford of AC snakes United kingdom,http://acsnakes.co.uk/care/rhino.htm
- Sacha Korell's Natural Elaphe Collection image gallery for Vietnamese Longnose Snake (Rhynchophis boulengeri) http://www.knology.net/~korell/Rhynchophis.htm
- Image: "A rare rhino rat snake (Rhynchophis boulengeri) emerges from its shell at ZSL London Zoo," Telegraph.co.uk http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/3459883/Animal-pictures-of-the-week-14-November-2008.html?image=22