Part I: Elaphe taeniura friesei,
Taiwan Beauty Snake, Stripetailed Race
The Taiwan Beauty, Elaphe taeniura
friesei (Werner 1928) is the largest of the six recognized subspecies with
the possibility of a seven subspecies (Schulz, in preparation) which appears
to have originated from North Vietnam and has a red tongue instead of the
bluish tongue as do the other forms. This group of Elaphe taeniura was
frequently imported from Bangkok and Hong Kong and very little has been
written about the maintaining and breeding of these snakes in captivity. From
what I could find, an Austrian herpetologist, Dr. R. Fesser, was the first
person to import two pairs of this species from Taiwan and was able to breed
them allowing healthy captive specimens to enter into the collection of other
snake fanciers in Europe.
These are beautiful snakes with a ground
color of yellowish-brown to olive. The top of the head and the neck region are
unicolor. The markings on the back usually consist of two pairs of black
rounded spots which join together. On each side of the body there are more
black spots. about the last third of the body the markings change to two dark
brown to black stripes and one yellow stripe. The lateral stripes are
interrupted by lighter transverse stripes, four scales wide. From each eye a
dark stripe extends to the corner of the mouth. The upper labials are
yellowish-white. The ventral surface is cream colored with significant black
checkerboard markings which is characteristic in differentiating from the
other subspecies. In addition, this subspecies has a much wider head and a
longer tail.
The Taiwan Beauty reaches a length of over
250 cm (8'-9') plus being the largest of its type and is also considered
largest of the rat snakes. It has a ventral scale count of 240 to 258 scales.
This subspecies is only known from the
island of Taiwan (Formosa). It is found in various habitats and even on
cultivated land. They can be frequently found in bushes and trees. This snake
is swift and agile in its movements making them difficult to capture in its
natural habitat. They are mainly diurnal hunting for their favorite food of
rats and birds being a very useful snake in its area. Unfortunately, these
snakes are also found on the menus in Taiwanese restaurants. It's skin is
popular for the manufacture of handbags and shoes. It's flesh is also
considered to contain medicinal properties. Like several other snakes in
history, some of the subspecies of Elaphe taeniura have had their
geographical range increased by people taking these snakes with them when they
move for rodent control.
These snakes should be housed in an
appropriate size terrarium allowing plenty of room for climbing. I use a
coarse fir/pine wood shaving in my display. I place a large water bowl which
helps increase the humidity along with daily misting. For a hiding area, I use
grapewood (Calif. Drift Wood) which offers beautiful hide areas but also
allows for partial viewing of the snakes. They are a peaceful snake and are
not very shy as opposed to the nominate form. The preferential temperatures
are between 22-26*C during the day and a 18*C night temperature is sufficient.
It is recommended that the temperature should never exceed 30*C. The snakes
will react with great discomfort at this temperature.
Taiwan Beauties have been commonly bred in
collections today. Many keepers hibernate at around 18-20* C from December
until March. A 10-15*C might be better for lower demands on the metabolism.
Mating usually results about a month after the hibernation period. Eggs are
usually laid in May or June or even later depending on your cycle. The eggs
are large, 50 x 30 mm on the average. Incubation at 27*C to 32*C in
vermiculite at a relative humidity of 95% results in a very good hatch rate
after 57-60 days (Juschke, written report). At 25 to 27*C in quartz sand and a
humidity of 95-100%, with a temperature increase to 30*C shortly before
hatchling, a hatch rate of 100% resulted after 65 days (Nagele, written
report). The hatchlings are similar to the adults and measure about 30-45 cm.
They shed in about 14 days and feed immediately on pinkie mice. They grow
quickly if well fed and attain a length of 130 cm after 14 months. These
snakes are capable of reproduction at around 18 months when the animals have
reached a length of 140-150 cm (4.5' to 5').
