Source: Wikimedia Commons
Twin-spotted Ratsnake
BeginnerElaphe bimaculata
A small ratsnake of 60-80 cm from central China, occurring in blotched and striped phases. A V- or U-shaped head marking separates it from the W-marked steppe ratsnake.
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperature
25〜32℃
Lifespan
Few data on lifespan in captivity
Size
60-80 cm total length (females larger)
Humidity
40〜70%
Diet
Carnivore (small mice)
About
The twin-spotted ratsnake or Chinese leopard snake is a small Elaphe from central China (from eastern Sichuan to Jiangsu, north to Hebei, and in Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi) and Inner Mongolia, with its type locality at Ningguo, Anhui. It reaches 60 to 80 cm, and females grow larger and heavier than males. The blotched phase is typical, but a striped phase also occurs, and some animals are blotched in front and striped behind. It lives in habitats ranging from forest edges to cultivated land and seems to prefer cooler temperatures and higher humidity. It is secretive and prefers small prey such as young to half-grown mice. Breeding can occur at various times, but most clutches of 3 to 10 eggs are laid in late spring and hatch in 35 to 48 days. A two- to three-month hibernation is typical. It closely resembles the steppe ratsnake (Elaphe dione), which is sometimes sold as E. bimaculata; a V- or U-shaped head marking indicates E. bimaculata, while E. dione has a W-shaped mark. In Japan captive-bred animals are sold in specialist shops.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Size of the Twin-spotted Ratsnake
The Twin-spotted Ratsnake grows to 60-80 cm total length (females larger).
Basic Info
Origin
Central China (eastern Sichuan to Jiangsu, north to Hebei) and Inner Mongolia
Lifespan
Few data on lifespan in captivity
Size
60-80 cm total length (females larger)
Temperature
25〜32℃
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Elaphe bimaculata Schmidt, 1925
Authority databases: GBIF · The Reptile Database: Elaphe bimaculata · GBIF: Elaphe bimaculata
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listed
Not listed under CITES (no entry in Species+). Never release a captive animal into the wild.
Sources: Species+ search (Elaphe bimaculata: no match)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Twin-spotted Ratsnake Listings
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