Orthriophis (Elaphe) taeniura yunnanensis (Yunnan Ratsnake)

Origin: The range of the species covers much of South and Southeast Asia, with the exception of West and Northeast China
Length: up to 1.2 to 1.8 meters
Age: up to 15-20 years
In general, the ground color is yellowish brown to olive green, which darkens at the end of the tail. The skin on the back of the neck and head is uniform in color, and the back is typically marked with two pairs of round black spots flowing together. Starting at the posterior corner of eacheye, a black stripe extends back to each corner of the mouth, which is slightly cream colored around the upper labial area.

Care
Experience: Experienced hose holder
Food: Live or dead prey. Main prey animals are mice, chicks and rats.
Adult feeding: every 10 to 14 days.
Feeding young: Every 6 to 8 days
Water bowl: Yes
Change water: 3 times a week

Nutrition

Relatively small, the Yunnan rat snake usually feeds on ground rodents such as mice, chicks and rats. Due to the snake's climbing ability, even bats (in nature) that nest in the caves they share. In addition to small mammals, Yunnan rat snakes are also known to occasionally eat birds and bird eggs. Domestic specimens have been observed to value baby chicks as an alternative to a rodent-based diet.

You can offer these prey animals alive or dead. Although it is more practical to accustom them to dead prey. It sometimes happens that the food animal injures your snake. If you do go for live food you will have to stay with it while feeding your snake, because most prey animals can also injure the snake. In addition, run the hose out of the housing and with food tongs to avoid unnecessary injuries. If they are kept together, it is wise to take them apart during feeding. It sometimes happens that the snakes grab the same prey or grab each other and this can lead to unnecessary injuries.

Water
The snakes love to lie in the water and a large water tank should therefore not be missed in the accommodation. 

Cleaning
The Yunnan rat snake likes to spend its time higher in the enclosure. Here they will also do their stools. Pay attention to this during cleaning and then clean the climbing branches and raised lying boards in addition to the bottom. To keep the accommodation clean, cleaning once a week is enough. In addition to the weekly cleaning, the stay must be properly disinfected several times a year. This should be done so that unnecessary diseases or bacteria do not accumulate..

Handling
Like many other snakes, they can be defensive. This ensures that they are not easy to handle. To avoid unnecessary wounds, a hose hook must therefore be used. Only handle it with your hands if you know that the snake is used to people. Always be calm during handling, this minimizes stress on the hose. Finally, there are a few things to pay attention to. The hose cannot be handled in the dark and immediately after shedding. At such a moment, handling is extra stressful on the animal.

Housing
Minimum size of stay for 1 couple: 100 x 60 x 60 or 100 x 50 x 50
Lying area: 0.5 m2
Day temperature: 22-28C
Night temperature: 17-22C
Hours of light: 10-12 hours
Humidity degree: 40% -60%
Ground cover: Humus or sand (no desert sand)
They are real climbers. This lifestyle must therefore be possible in the residence. This is done with raised reclining boards and multiple climbing branches. Also try hiding places with fake plants, or creating caves on the branches and shelves. Due to their climbing behavior, it is also important to have more height in the accommodation. When choosing the accommodation, it is therefore more important to choose height instead of width.

Before the stay there are some extra things to pay attention to. For example, the Yunnan rat snakes are quite good at escaping, due to their speed and slender build, and care will have to be taken not to just open their door. In addition, ventilation is required to keep the air fresh and it is advisable to place the accommodation out of the bright sun and as vibration-free as possible.

Behaviour
Due to their preference, these snakes have become skilled climbers and have been known to move along cave walls. This skill becomes a strong asset for them when it comes to hunting. Additionally, probably because of their cave habits, Yunnana rat snakes are cathemal, meaning they are active at random times during the 24-hour day, whether it is outside day or night. These strains are naturally stressed quickly and easily, so they should be given adequate hiding space and the right temperature to improve adaptation to the new environment and potentially promote temperament.
Hunting method: Strangling snake.
Lifestyle: Active day and night
Character
The Yunnan rat snake is a good example of an active snake. They can quickly become defensive and take a lot of effort to get them manageable.
Points of attention
The Yunnan rat snake is a strangling snake and eats relatively small prey. So keep in mind that you don't leave it alone with small children or pets. This is because he can also mistake them for prey. Due to its fierce behavior, it is recommended to keep the hose in a place where few people walk by. This is because they sometimes lash out at the glass and injure themselves.

Costs and Purchase
Legislation: The slender tree boa is not covered by CITES II, to own this snake you need CITES or transfer papers.
One-off costs: This includes the costs for accommodation, lighting, heating, water bowl and decoration. Together, this can cost a few hundred euros to a few thousand euros. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products.
Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the costs for the feed, which is a few tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: Costs have been incurred if your hose accidentally falls ill or your equipment breaks.