Elaphe moellendorffi
| Elaphe moellendorffi | |
|---|---|
| |
| A juvenile flower snake | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Elaphe |
| Species: | E. moellendorffi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Elaphe moellendorffi (Boettger, 1886)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Elaphe moellendorffi, commonly called the flower snake, Moellendorf's rat snake, and Moellendorff's trinket snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to mainland Southeast Asia.
Etymology
The specific name, moellendorffi, is in honor of German malacologist Otto Franz von Möllendorff.[3]
Geographic distribution and Habitat
Elaphe moellendorffi is found in China (Guangdong, Guangxi) and Vietnam (Hòa Bình). It may possibly also occur in Laos.[2]
The preferred natural habitats of Elaphe moellendorffi are limestone caves and rocky areas of shrubland and forest, at elevations of 30–300 m (98–984 ft).[1]
Description
Elaphe moellendorffi is a large snake. Adults may attain a total length (including tail) of 1.66 m (5.4 ft).[4]
Behavior
Elaphe moellendorffi is terrestrial[1] and partly arboreal.[2]
Diet
Elaphe moellendorffi preys upon frogs, lizards, rodents, bats, and birds.[1]
Reproduction
Elaphe moellendorffi is oviparous.[2] Clutch size is seven to ten eggs.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e Zhou, Z.; Lau, M.; Nguyen, T.Q. (2012). "Elaphe moellendorffi ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T192040A2031924.en. Accessed on 08 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d Species Elaphe moellendorffi at The Reptile Database
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael 92011. The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Elaphe moellendorffi, p. 81).
- ^ Boulenger (1894).
Further reading
- Boettger O (1886). "Diagnoses Reptilium Novorum ab ill. viris O. Herz et Consule Dr. O. Fr. de Moellendorf in Sina meridionali reportorum ". Zoologischer Anzeiger 9: 519–520. (Cynophis moellendorffi, new species, p. 520). (in Latin).
- Boulenger GA (1894). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xi + 382 pp. + Plates I–XX. (Coluber moellendorffi, p. 56).
- Chen, Xin; Lemmon, Alan R.; Lemmon, Emily Moriarty; Pyron, R. Alexander; Burbrink, Frank T. (2017). "Using phylogenomics to understand the link between biogeographic origins and regional diversification in ratsnakes". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 111: 206–218.
- Zhao, E.; Adler, K. (1993). Herpetology of China. Oxford, Ohio: Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR). ISBN 0-916984-28-1. 522 pp.