Friday, May 8, 2026

"RHINOCEROS RATSNAKE”


This nonvenous snake has a prominent, scaly “horn” on the tip of its snout. The exact purpose of this “horn” is unknown. The image shown here is via the Smithsonian Institution.


This snake lives is indigenous to subtropical rainforest of northern Vietnam and southern China. It lives at elevations of between 1,000 and 5,000 feet. It prefers to live near streams or lakes. It feeds on small rodents, birds, fish, or frogs. It is mainly a nocturnal snake. 


It changes color as its ages: hatchings are brownish gray. Then at about 1 year, they become steel gray. Then at about 2 years, when they become adults, their color is a brilliant bluish green.


Classification


Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

Class Reptilia

Order Squamata

Family Colubridae

Genus Gonyosoma

Type Species: Gonyosoma boulengeri


Note: This snake is NOT the same as the highly venous Rhinoceros Viper (Bitis nascicornis) that lives in Africa.


References


Wikipedia 2026

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