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{{Short description|Species of snake}}
{{speciesbox
{{More footnotes|date=January 2021}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Elaphe climacophora -Kyoto, Japan-8.jpg
| image = Elaphe climacophora -Kyoto, Japan-8.jpg
| status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Kidera, N. |author2=Ota, H. |date=2017 |title=''Elaphe climacophora'' |volume=2017 |page=e.T47755764A47755773 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T47755764A47755773.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Elaphe
| genus = Elaphe
| species = climacophora
| species = climacophora
| authority = (Boie, 1826)
| authority = ([[Heinrich Boie|Boie]], 1826)
}}
}}
[[File:アオダイショウS-P8305010.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Japanese rat snake]]
[[File:アオダイショウS-P8305010.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Japanese rat snake]]
[[File:Elaphe climacophora - Japanese rat snake - 2015 10 4.webm|thumb|Japanese rat snakes crawls into a pipe]]
The '''Japanese rat snake''' (''Elaphe climacophora'') is a medium-sized [[snake]] found throughout the [[Japanese archipelago]] (except the far South West). In Japanese it is known as the ''aodaishō'' or "blue general". It is a non-venomous [[snake]], and a member of the [[colubrid]] [[family (biology)|family]]. It is hunted by [[eagle]]s and [[raccoon dog]]s.
The '''Japanese rat snake''' ('''''Elaphe climacophora''''') is a medium-sized [[colubrid]] [[snake]] found throughout the [[Japanese archipelago]] (except the far South West) as well as on the Russian-administered [[Kunashir Island]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /> In Japanese it is known as the ''aodaishō''<ref name=RDB/> or "blue general". It is non-venomous. It is hunted by [[eagle]]s and [[Japanese raccoon dog|tanukis]].


The snakes hibernate for three to four months, mate in spring and lay 7–20 eggs in early summer.
The snakes hibernate for three to four months, mate in spring and lay 7–20 eggs in early summer.
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==Description==
==Description==
[[File:Elaphe climacophora head.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Head]]
[[File:Elaphe climacophora head.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Head]]
[[File:Naturalis Biodiversity Center - RMNH.ART.107 - Elaphe climacophora - Kawahara Keiga - 1823 - 1829 - Siebold Collection - pencil drawing - water colour.jpeg|thumb|left|Elaphe climacophora by [[Kawahara Keiga]], 1823-1829]]
[[File:Naturalis Biodiversity Center - RMNH.ART.107 - Elaphe climacophora - Kawahara Keiga - 1823 - 1829 - Siebold Collection - pencil drawing - water colour.jpeg|thumb|left|''Elaphe climacophora'' by [[Kawahara Keiga]], 1823–1829]]
Adults reach a length of between one and two meters and a girth of about five centimeters. ''E.&nbsp;climacophora'' is the largest Japanese snake outside of Okinawa. The color is variable, from pale yellow-green to dark blue-green.
Adults reach one to two meters in length and about five centimeters in girth. ''E.&nbsp;climacophora'' is the largest Japanese snake outside Okinawa. They are variable in color, ranging from pale yellow-green to dark blue-green.


Juveniles have a pattern of brown stripes, which may be an example of [[mimesis]] to the venomous [[Gloydius blomhoffi|mamushi]]. An albino form is known, especially around [[Iwakuni]], where they are known and revered as "Iwakuni white snakes". The albino population was protected in 1924 as a "National Monument".
Juveniles have brown-stripe pattern that may be [[mimicry|mimesis]] of the venomous [[Gloydius blomhoffii|mamushi]]. An albino form is known, with specimens especially numerous near [[Iwakuni]], where they are called "Iwakuni white snakes" and revered as messengers of deities and deity-guardians of mountains and rivers. The albino population was protected in 1924 as a "national monument."


==Feeding==
==Feeding==
Japanese rat snakes eat a variety of small animals: rodents, frogs or lizards. They are good at climbing and often raid bird nests. They were favoured by farmers as effective rat control, though unpopular with chicken rearers.
Japanese rat snakes eat a variety of small animals: rodents, frogs, lizards, shrooms, or flies. They are good at climbing and often raid bird nests. They were favoured by farmers as effective rat control, though unpopular with chicken rearers.


==Hybrids==
==Hybrids==
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==References==
==References==
{{Commons|Elaphe climacophora}}
{{Commons|Elaphe climacophora}}
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species |genus=Elaphe |species=climacophora |accessdate=3 January 2021}}</ref>
}}
*[http://www.ratsnakes.com/Eclimacophora.html Ratsnakes.com]
*[http://www.ratsnakes.com/Eclimacophora.html Ratsnakes.com]


{{Taxonbar|from=Q2562020}}
⚫
[[Category:Rat snakes]]

⚫
[[Category:Reptiles of Japan]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1826]]
[[Category:Elaphe]]
⚫
[[Category:Snakes of Asia]]
[[Category:Snakes of Japan]]
⚫
[[Category:Reptiles of Russia]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1826]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Heinrich Boie]]

Latest revision as of 13:48, 20 March 2024

Japanese rat snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Elaphe
Species:
E. climacophora
Binomial name
Elaphe climacophora
(Boie, 1826)
Japanese rat snake
Japanese rat snakes crawls into a pipe

The Japanese rat snake (Elaphe climacophora) is a medium-sized colubrid snake found throughout the Japanese archipelago (except the far South West) as well as on the Russian-administered Kunashir Island.[1] In Japanese it is known as the aodaishō[2] or "blue general". It is non-venomous. It is hunted by eagles and tanukis.

The snakes hibernate for three to four months, mate in spring and lay 7–20 eggs in early summer.

Description

[edit]
Head
Elaphe climacophora by Kawahara Keiga, 1823–1829

Adults reach one to two meters in length and about five centimeters in girth. E. climacophora is the largest Japanese snake outside Okinawa. They are variable in color, ranging from pale yellow-green to dark blue-green.

Juveniles have brown-stripe pattern that may be mimesis of the venomous mamushi. An albino form is known, with specimens especially numerous near Iwakuni, where they are called "Iwakuni white snakes" and revered as messengers of deities and deity-guardians of mountains and rivers. The albino population was protected in 1924 as a "national monument."

Feeding

[edit]

Japanese rat snakes eat a variety of small animals: rodents, frogs, lizards, shrooms, or flies. They are good at climbing and often raid bird nests. They were favoured by farmers as effective rat control, though unpopular with chicken rearers.

Hybrids

[edit]

In the German reptile zoo Exotarium Oberhof Elaphe climacophora mated with Elaphe schrenckii to produce fertile hybrids. Offspring look very much like Elaphe taeniura.

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Elaphe climacophora.
  1. ^ a b Kidera, N.; Ota, H. (2017). "Elaphe climacophora". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T47755764A47755773. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T47755764A47755773.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Elaphe climacophora at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 January 2021.
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