Euprepiophis mandarinus (Mandarin rat snake)

Origin: South and Central China
Length: 1.4 to 1.6 meters (depends on subspecies)
Age: 10 to 15 years
The Mandarin rat snake is a beautiful Asian rat snake with a considerable variation in color. From black to light gray as a basic color with yellow or red spots and a light belly side. Due to their exceptional patterns, Mandarin rat snakes are not to be confused with other species. These rat snakes have a shy character and will keep this throughout their life. They like to lie hidden, but rarely come out to actively search for food. Often the prey is caught at night

Grooming
Experience: Starting / Average snake keeper
Food: Live or dead prey (young mice and baby rats).
Feed adult: Every 8 to 12 days.
Feed young: Every 7 to 8 days
Water bowl: Yes
Change the water: 3 times a week

Nutrition
The Mandarin rat snake, like other rat snakes, is a real choke snake, so it can also eat prey larger than its head. In the wild they usually eat small rodents. In captivity this diet can therefore be perfectly imitated. It is advisable to offer this death. This is more practical and prevents the food animals from injuring your snake. We recommend that you present the food animals with a pair of tongs and that you feed your snake outside the enclosure. This has the advantage that your hand is not associated with food.

If you do go for live food, you must supervise the feeding. If you keep the Mandarin Rat Snake together with other animals, you will have to take them apart before feeding, as the snakes sometimes injure each other while feeding.

In captivity, Mandarin rat snakes can become obese, so it is important that you regularly weigh your snake and adjust feeding accordingly. Obesity is associated with various other diseases and health problems.

Water
It is good to have water available for your Mandarin rat snake. Not only for drinking, but also for bathing. To allow this, the water bowl must be large enough for the snake to lie in it with its whole body and preferably a little bigger itself.

Cleaning
A hygienic living environment is important to keep your hose healthy. In order to achieve this, the accommodation will have to be cleaned regularly. Cleaning once a week is regular enough. In addition, to prevent the build-up of bacteria, the entire accommodation must be cleaned and disinfected a few times a year.

Handling
Your snake will have to be handled to feed the Mandarin rat snake and to clean the enclosure. Of course, this must be done properly so that the snake and you are safe. Handle the hose with a hose hook or lift it with both hands. Do not hang your snake around your neck, because if the snake falls it will soon clamp itself around your neck. In addition, there are some important things to watch out for when handling a Mandarin rat snake. First, make sure your snake realizes that you are going to handle it and move gently when you handle it. Also make sure your hands are washed and don't smell like food. Finally, do not handle your snake when it is shedding and do not handle it in the dark.

Housing
Minimum enclosure size for 1 snake: 150 x 50 x 50
Laying surface: 1m2 with at least one raised lying board per hose on which the hose can lie.
Day temperature: 20-24C maximum 26C
Night temperature: minimum 20C
Hours of light: 12 hours
Humidity degree: 50-80%
Ground cover: Newspapers, bark or peat litter

Design
The Mandarin Rat Snake does not require a huge enclosure. The water bowl should be large enough for the hose to bathe in. Also make sure that this water bowl is stable so that they cannot knock it over. Finally, the hose must be allowed to pull away. You can achieve this by offering the snake hiding options in the form of an upside-down flower pot or an artificial cave.

Before the stay, there are some extra things that need to be taken into account. The Mandarin Rat Snake, for example, is quite good at escaping and it will be necessary to ensure that they cannot just open their door. You can do this by putting a lock on the accommodation. In addition, ventilation is required to keep the air fresh and it is advisable to place the accommodation out of the bright sun and as vibration-free as possible.

Behaviour
Hunting method: Strangulation snake
Lifestyle: Mostly nocturnal
Character
The Mandarin Rat Snake has a shy nature and will keep this throughout its life. They like to lie hidden, but rarely come out to actively search for food.
Points of attention
The Mandarin Rat Snake is capable of eating prey larger than its head. For a large snake, these can even be other pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. Therefore, never leave your snake alone with other pets.

Costs and Purchase
Legislation: The Mandarin rat snake falls under CITES II, to own this snake you need CITES or transfer papers. You should get this with the purchase.
One-off costs: This includes the costs for the accommodation, lighting, heating, water bowl and decoration. All together this can cost a few hundred euros to a few thousand euros. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products.
Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the costs for the feed, this is several tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: Costs have been incurred when your snake happens to get sick or your equipment breaks down.