PROFILPELAJAR.COM

Japanese four-lined ratsnake
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Elaphe
Species:	E. quadrivirgata
Binomial name
	Elaphe quadrivirgata; (H. Boie, 1826)
Synonyms
	Coluber quadrivirgatus H.Boie, 1826; Composoma quadrivirgatum — A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854; Elaphis quadrivirgatus — Günther, 1858; Coluber quadrivirgatus — Boulenger, 1894; Elaphe quadrivirgata — Stejneger, 1907;

The Japanese striped snake is a species of snake endemic to Japan.

Appearance

They are about 80~150 cm. Sometimes there are black types but usually they are light yellow. Their scales are not so big so they can't swallow big animals.

Living areas

They live in almost all areas of Japan (Hokkaido, Honsyuu, Shikoku, Kyuusyu, Osumi islands).

Food and Water

They mainly eat rats, birds, lizards, frogs, and snakes. They like reptiles and amphibians. They sometimes prey on one another.They drink water from their mouths.

Reproduction

They lay 4~16 eggs from July to August. Hatching period is 40~50 days.The eggs are usually under the soil,a gap in the stone wall, or under the fallen leaves.