Ptyas korros

Indo-Chinese Rat Snake Ptyas korros
Indo-Chinese Rat Snake from Taiwan (photo by Hans Breuer)

indo-chinese rat snake ptyas korros thailand
Indo-Chinese Rat Snake in Khao Sam Roi Yot (photo by Bernard Dupont)

Ptyas korros  Sa Kaeow Province Michael Cota_files
Indo-Chinese Rat Snake in Sa Kaeow Province (photo by Michael Cota)

Indo-Chinese Rat Snake (Ptyas korros)
Indo-Chinese Rat Snake found in Malaysia (Image by Nick Baker, ecologyasia.com)

Robert Ferguson Ptyas korros
Indo-Chinese Rat Snake found in Hong Kong (photo by Robert Ferguson)

indo-chinese rat snake Ptyas korros
Head shot of Indo-Chinese Rat Snake at the Queen Saovabha Snake Farm

rat snakes bangkok zoo thailand
Head shot of Indo-Chinese Rat Snakes at the Bangkok Zoo (photo by Bernard Dupont)

Captive subadult Indo-Chinese Rat Snake Ptyas korros in hands
Subadult Indo-Chinese Rat Snake in Taiwan (photo by Hans Breuer)

IndoChinese Rat Snake Pytas korras
Young Indo-Chinese Rat Snake in Laos (photo by Thomas Calame)

Indo-Chinese Rat Snake Ptyas korros
Juvenile Indo-Chinese Rat Snake in Chonburi Province (photo by Ray Hamilton)

English name: Indo-Chinese Rat Snake
Scientific name: Ptyas korros
Thai name: Ngu Sing Ban, Ngu Hao Ta-lan

Description: To 256cm long. One of the largest snakes in Bangkok other than the pythons. Brown or olive above, yellowish on the chin and underbelly. Eyes are notably large. Young juveniles have white bands or spots on body.

Similar Species: Oriental Rat Snake has dark bands on the last third of its body.
Monacled Cobra has smaller eyes, loose skin around the neck, and a characteristic marking on the back of the neck/head that expands when displaying.
All other large brown snakes in Bangkok have characteristic stripes, bands, or other markings on the head or body.

Habitat: Prefers open habitat such as grassland, shrubland, open woodland, agriculture, and the open banks of water bodies. Can be found in trees (especially when resting) and is a good swimmer.

Place in the ecosystem: Helps control rodent populations by eating rats and mice, but also feeds on frogs, lizards, smaller snakes, and birds. Their juveniles are eaten by larger snakes, monitors, and birds of prey.

Danger to humans: This large snake is aggressive and can inflict a nasty bite, but it is non-venomous and cannot cause any serious injury.

Conservation status and threats: The Indo-Chinese Rat Snake has no known conservation issues in Thailand, but is hunted for its meat and gallbladder and is listed as endangered in China.

Interesting facts: When captured this snake will thrash its body about violently, which together with its large size makes it difficult to handle.

References:
Snakes of Taiwan: Ptyas korros
University of Hong Kong: Ptyas korros
A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand
A Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-East Asia