Colubridae
Steppe Ratsnake
HarmlessElaphe dione
6 photographs of the Steppe Ratsnake. © Jesenia K..
The Steppe Ratsnake (Elaphe dione) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 17 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Steppe Ratsnake
Elaphe dione, commonly known as Dione's rat snake, the steppe rat snake, or the steppes rat snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Asia and Eastern Europe. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. A large specimen from Putyatin Island measured up to 90 cm (3.0 ft) in length.
Etymology
The specific name, dione, refers to the Greek mythological figure Dione who was the mother of Aphrodite.
Habitat
E. dione is found in eastern Ukraine, southern and southeastern Russia, Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, Mongolia, parts of China, and Korea. It is found in a wide variety of habitats including forest, shrubland, grassland, rocky areas, desert, freshwater wetlands, and disturbed areas, at altitudes from sea level to 3,580 m (2.22 mi).
Behavior
An adult female mates with two or more males, sometimes copulating with two males at the same time. E. dione is oviparous, and adult females lay a clutch of 3–15 eggs in July or August, though some can lay a clutch of up to 24 eggs.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Steppe Ratsnake
- Is the Steppe Ratsnake venomous?
- No. The Steppe Ratsnake (Elaphe dione) 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 Steppe Ratsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Steppe Ratsnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Steppe Ratsnake dangerous?
- The Steppe Ratsnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Steppe Ratsnake live?
- The Steppe Ratsnake has verified records in 17 countries, including Korea, Republic of, Russian Federation, China. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Steppe Ratsnake?
- The specific name, dione, refers to the Greek mythological figure Dione who was the mother of Aphrodite.
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 dione
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.