Colubridae with 249 genera, and over 1900 species (roughly two-thirds of all living snakes) is the largest snake family. Most have no venom or very negligible amount of venom. Ptyas mucosa, commonly known as the Oriental rat snake, or Indian rat snake, is a common non-venomous species found in Southeast Asia. It can grow up to 12 ft. It was first recorded in 1758 by the Swedish physician and zoologist Carl Linnaeus (1707 – 1778).
Though Wikipedia says that adult rat snakes have no natural predators, I have seen stray dogs kill them, just for fun and not for eating. This may be the case in the wild also, though not recorded.
Rat snakes are extensively hunted by humans in some countries for skins and meat. Government regulations for harvesting and trade exist in China and Indonesia, but these regulations are usually ignored.
Wikipedia says that in captivity, they are territorial and may defend their turf aggressively, attempting to startle or strike at passing objects. But, in this photo taken in Malampuzha Snake Park, in Palakkad, Kerala, you can see them huddle together without any territorial separation.
– Vincent Vanur
