A large, agile climber of Korean and Russian forests, also called the Russian rat snake, valued by snake enthusiasts for its cool-temperate hardiness.
Description
The Russian rat snake is a slim, glossy colubrid commonly reaching about 1.6 m, with a striking adult pattern of bold black and yellow alternating bands edged in cream. Juveniles are brown with darker blotches that gradually transform into the adult banding over two or three years.
Behavior
A diurnal active hunter, the species climbs nimbly into trees and rock crevices in search of voles, sparrows, and bird eggs. It tolerates cool temperatures better than most colubrids and is active even in early spring snowmelt. Adults are docile and frequently kept by experienced reptile keepers.
Range
Distributed across the Russian Far East from the Amur basin into the Korean peninsula and adjacent parts of northeast China and Mongolia. Habitat fragmentation has caused local declines but the species remains widespread within forested areas.