Colubridae
Brown Rat Snake
HarmlessPtyas fusca
6 photographs of the Brown Rat Snake. © Kai Squires.
The Brown Rat Snake (Ptyas fusca) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 6 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Brown Rat Snake
Ptyas fusca, commonly known as the white-bellied rat snake or brown rat snake, is a species of colubrid snake. It is found in Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
The white-bellied rat snake prefers forested habitats. They are known to prey on frogs and lizards and fish. It is known to remain still and hold neck erect when disturbed-a threatening posture.
The adults range from brown to brick-red colour on the upper surface. Ventral scales are white to pale yellowish in colour. Thick black stripes on either side of the posterior body and tail is a characteristic feature. Juveniles often greenish in coloration. The pupil is rounded and large.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Brown Rat Snake
- Is the Brown Rat Snake venomous?
- No. The Brown Rat Snake (Ptyas fusca) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Brown Rat Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Brown Rat Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Brown Rat Snake dangerous?
- The Brown Rat Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Brown Rat Snake live?
- The Brown Rat Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Ptyas
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Ptyas fusca
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.