Taiwanese Beauty Snake Care Sheet
General: The Taiwanese beauty snake (Orthriophis taeniurus friesi), is a large and very powerful constrictor. This snake is one of the largest rat snakes in the world and it comes from the island of Taiwan. It can live to over 20 years. Adult males are usually about 1,8 metres (6 feet) and females grow to around 2,4 metres (8 feet)
Heating: Taiwanese Beauty Snakes require a temperature gradient from the warm end at 29°C (84°F) to cool areas at 24°C (75°F) . Night time temperatures should be around 24°C (75°F). A basking spot of 30°C (86°F) is also appreciated by these snakes.
Lighting: No additional lighting is required for this snake if the snake is housed in a room with natural lighting. Do not place the vivarium in direct sun light.
Feeding: Adults Taiwanese Beauty Snakes will take mice, rats, and chicks once a week. Younger snakes will eat appropriately sized mice or baby rats. A food item should be no bigger than 1.5 times the width of the widest part of the snake’s body. a small bulge should be noticeable in the stomach of the snake. Taiwanese Beauty Snakes generally have a very aggressive feeding response and feeding tongs are essential. Never leave live prey items alone with your snake.
Enclosure: Taiwanese Beauty Snakes do best in a well ventilated vivarium measuring around 180cm (72 inches) in length, 90cm (36 inches) deep and 90cm (36 inches) high. These snakes are extremely active and will use all the room they can have. Hatchlings and younger snakes may be kept in a smaller vivarium. Provide hides and shelters as these are essential to snakes, one at the warm side of the enclosure and one on the cooler side. Taiwanese Beauty Snakes are semi-arboreal so other furnishings like sterilized rocks or fake plants make good climbing and resting places.
Substrate: Kitchen paper towel, reptile carpet and even newspaper can all make suitable substrates along with a host of purpose made substrates currently available. The usual Coconut husk and cypress mulch can also be used.
Taiwanese Rat Snake. Photo Courtesy of Christi Hancock
