Ptyas fusca

Ptyas fusca, commonly known as the white-bellied rat snake or brown rat snake,^[2][3] is a species of colubrid snake. It is found in Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.^[4]

Ptyas fusca
Adult snake in threat display in Venus Drive, Singapore.
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Ptyas
Species:	P. fusca
Binomial name
Ptyas fusca (Günther, 1858)
Synonyms
Coryphodon fuscus Günther 1858 Zaocys fuscus Günther 1864 Zapyrus fuscus Boulenger 1885 Zaocys (Zapyrus) fuscus Boettger 1887 Zaocys fuscus Boulenger 1893 Ptyas fuscus Wall 1923 Zaocys fuscus Grandison 1978 Zaocys fuscusv Manthey 1983 Ptyas fuscus David & Vogel 1996 Ptyas fuscus Cox et al. 1998 Ptyas fuscus Malkmus et al. 2002 Ptyas fusca David & Das 2004

The white-bellied rat snake prefers forested habitats. They are known to prey on frogs and lizards and fish. It is known to remain still and hold neck erect when disturbed-a threatening posture.

The adults range from brown to brick-red colour on the upper surface. Ventral scales are white to pale yellowish in colour. Thick black stripes on either side of the posterior body and tail is a characteristic feature. Juveniles often greenish in coloration. The pupil is rounded and large.^[5]