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Description

งูสิงหางลาย.

Ptyas mucosa.

The Indian Rat Snake, which is also known under the common name Darash or Dhaman, is a very large racer snake (reaching up to 3.5 metres) that is common all over Thailand.

This serpent shares many similarities with the infamous King Cobra and is often mistaken for it due to its large size and similar colouring - but most peculiar, the Dhaman is one of the two only snake species that can emit a growling sound (the other one, again, being the King Cobra). It can also compress its anterior body part when provoked. These similarities could be explained as mimickry, as in mimicking its dangerous relative to confuse predators, though the Dhaman itself is often prey to the King Cobra.

Snakes are usually known for being strictly carnivorous, but the Dhaman is one of the rare cases where snakes were observed to swallow vegetables and inanimate objects. One individual is being reported to have swallowed an onion (leading to the snake's very death three minutes later). The reasons behind this kind of behaviour is still unknown.

Although being harmless and nonvenomous, this snake is known for a rather nervous character that is quick to strike and display defensive behaviour.

Snakes Of Thailand

Description

งูสิงหางลาย.

Ptyas mucosa.

The Indian Rat Snake, which is also known under the common name Darash or Dhaman, is a very large racer snake (reaching up to 3.5 metres) that is common all over Thailand.

This serpent shares many similarities with the infamous King Cobra and is often mistaken for it due to its large size and similar colouring - but most peculiar, the Dhaman is one of the two only snake species that can emit a growling sound (the other one, again, being the King Cobra). It can also compress its anterior body part when provoked. These similarities could be explained as mimickry, as in mimicking its dangerous relative to confuse predators, though the Dhaman itself is often prey to the King Cobra.

Snakes are usually known for being strictly carnivorous, but the Dhaman is one of the rare cases where snakes were observed to swallow vegetables and inanimate objects. One individual is being reported to have swallowed an onion (leading to the snake's very death three minutes later). The reasons behind this kind of behaviour is still unknown.

Although being harmless and nonvenomous, this snake is known for a rather nervous character that is quick to strike and display defensive behaviour.

Snakes Of Thailand