Colubridae
Korean Ratsnake
HarmlessElaphe anomala
3 photographs of the Korean Ratsnake. (c) Theo Busschau, some rights reserved (CC BY).
The Korean Ratsnake (Elaphe anomala) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Korean Ratsnake
Elaphe anomala, commonly known as the Korean rat snake, southern Amur ratsnake, or as gureong-i (구렁이) in the Korean language, is a non-venomous species of colubrid snake known from China and Korea. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of Elaphe schrenckii, the Amur ratsnake. It is a semi-arboreal snake that can be found in grasslands, dry scrub, rocky areas, and on the banks of rivers and lakes. It grows to 150–180 cm (59–71 in).
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Korean Ratsnake
- Is the Korean Ratsnake venomous?
- No. The Korean Ratsnake (Elaphe anomala) 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 Korean Ratsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Korean Ratsnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Korean Ratsnake dangerous?
- The Korean Ratsnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Korean Ratsnake live?
- The Korean Ratsnake has verified records in 4 countries, including China, Korea, Republic of, Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of). 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
- Elaphe
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Elaphe anomala
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.