Japanese Rat Snake

Characteristics

It is the largest snake on the mainland and is endemic to Japan. The body is dull green or olive with dark brown vertical stripes. The head is angular and has black streaks behind the eyes. Some are as long as 200 cm. The body color of the larvae is almost gray with brown grids, and resembles the Japanese copperhead.

They have been associated with humans since ancient times, as they can be seen near places where humans live, such as parks, bushes, and irrigation canals. They were considered useful beasts because they ate rats, while they were feared because they ate domestic birds.

In Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the bleached-type Aodaishō is protected as an object of worship as 'Iwakuni's white snake' and is designated as a national natural monument.

Ecology

They live in forests, farmlands, and waterfronts. It is diurnal and feeds on mice and birds in trees and on the ground. It can also be seen near houses and warehouses. It cleverly climbs trees and walls by hooking the side ribs of its abdomen. I sometimes swim in the water.

It breeds from spring to summer and is said to live for 10 years or more.

Habitat

Yudono River, Hachioji City

I found the snake in the Yudono River in Hachioji City. Seen from above, it deftly climbed the concrete wall along the river along the ditch. It was a large individual with a total length of about 150 cm. It stuck out its tongue from time to time.

In the sun by the forest

I found an individual of about 150m in a sunny vacant lot in the forest in Hachioji city. It quickly fled towards the bushes and entwined itself with the tree. It hung itself on a tree branch and was looking around with a few dozen centimeters above its head.