About Elaphe taeniura (Cope, 1861)
Elaphe taeniura, commonly called the beauty rat snake or Chinese beauty snake, has a typical lifespan of 15 to 25 years. Its average total length, including the tail, is 4–6 feet, which equals 1.2–1.8 meters. The native geographic range of this species spans most of southern and southeastern Asia, and does not include western and northeastern China. Within its native range, it is most often found in rain forests and caves. Outside of its native Asia, this species has an established introduced population in the Belgian city of Hasselt and the surrounding municipalities. Around 2005, several individuals escaped from a pet shop in Hasselt, and went on to form a breeding colony in nearby railroad bedding. The snakes use cable trays along the railway system to survive cold winters, breed, migrate, and feed on rodents that also use these cable trays for migration. People living near the railroad bedding in Hasselt and surrounding municipalities regularly find these snakes inside their homes, in areas ranging from toilets to attics.
