Persian ratsnake

Persian ratsnake
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Zamenis
Species:	Z. persicus
Binomial name
Zamenis persicus (F. Werner, 1913)
Synonyms
Coluber longissimus var. persica F. Werner, 1913 Elaphe longissima persica — Mertens & L. Müller, 1928 Elaphe persica — Nilson & Andrén, 1984 Zamenis persicus — Utiger et al., 2002

The Persian ratsnake (Zamenis persicus) is a species of medium-sized nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Western Asia.

Geographic range

Z. persicus is found in temperate northwestern Iran and Azerbaijan, in the area near the Caspian Sea.

Description

Adults of Z. persicus are from 70–90 cm (28–35 in) up to 120 cm (47 in) in total length (including tail), and usually jet black or grey with white markings along the lateral portion of the forebody. Males seem to grow larger than females.

Taxonomy

Z. persicus has habits very similar to Z. situla and for many years it was considered a subspecies of Elaphe longissima. It was granted full species status in 1984 (Nilson and Andrén).

Behavior

The Persian ratsnake is principally regarded as a terrestrial species, spending most of its time in the leaf litter; however, it is also an agile climber and will mount low brush.

Diet

The diet of Z. persicus, like that of most colubrids, consists primarily of small mammals, but it may also eat other small reptiles and amphibians.

Reproduction

Sexually mature female Persian ratsnakes lay clutches of 4-8 eggs, which hatch after 45–55 days of incubation.

In captivity

For Z. persicus, a hibernation period of 2–3 months is recommended.

Further reading

• Werner F. (1913). "Neue oder seltene Reptilien und Frösche des Naturhistorischen Museums in Hamburg ". Mitteilungen aus dem Naturhistorischen Museum in Hamburg 30: 1-51. (Coluber longissimus var. persica, pp. 23–24). (in German).

External links

• Ratsnakes.com