black-browed brocadeSnake (Elaphe taeniura) is a large non-venomous snake, which is called differently in different places, such as In Sichuan, Guizhou and other places, the black-browed brocade snake is called cauliflower snake. Because the black-browed brocade snake has great medicinal value, it is often hunted and killed by humans, and its number has been decreasing sharply. In addition, the black-browed brocade snake has been found to have a total of 9 subspecies differentiation.

Chinese name: Black eyebrow brocade snake

Chinese alias: Mei snake, house snake, brocade snake, cauliflower snake , yellow long worm, civil snake, called star snake, flower broad snake, double-line snake, three-cable snake.

Binomial: Elaphe taeniura

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Phylum Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Reptilia

Subclass: Diapsida, Lepidosauria

Order:  Squamata

Suborder: Serpentes

Family: Serpentidae (Megapodiidae)

Genus: Elaphe

Species: Elaphe

black-browed brocadeSnakeAlthough its size is large, the good thing is that it is a non-venomous snake, which is relatively safe to be raised in captivity. meters or so. This snake likes to eat rodents, and is known as the "house snake" in the south, and is known as the "rat king".

The head and body of the black-browed brocade snake are yellow-green or brownish-gray; there is an obvious black stripe behind the eyes, which is also the main basis for the name of the snake; the front and middle of the body are black trapezoids or butterfly The markings are similar to a scale star, so it is also called a scale star snake; the markings gradually disappear from the middle of the body back to the back, but there are 4 clear black longitudinal bands that reach the tail end, and several rows of dorsal scales in the center have weak edges.

The main distinctive feature of the black-browed brocade snake is that there are two obvious black stripes behind the eyes extending to the neck, like black eyebrows, so it is called "black-browed brocade snake". The back is brownish-gray or khaki. There are obvious black longitudinal bands on both sides from the middle of the body to the end, and there are 4 black stripes on the back of the body extending to the tip of the tail. The abdomen is gray and white, and the body length is about 1.7 meters or more, and the larger one is about 2.3 meters.

thisSnakes are unusually fond of rodents, and often appear in farmers’ homes because of chasing rats. In the living room, on the eaves and on the roof, it is known as the "house snake" in the south, and is known as the "rat king", with an annual catch of 150 to 200 rats. Although this snake is non-venomous, its temperament is relatively rough. When it is disturbed, it can erect its head and neck, 20-30 centimeters off the ground, and its body is in an "S" shape, ready to attack at any time. It likes to eat rodents and birds, but has no appetite for frogs. Under artificial feeding conditions, the quails and chicks that have been eliminated are generally fed.

Feeding behavior is the basic behavior necessary for the survival and reproduction of the animal itself. The black-browed brocade snake mostly hunts for food by wandering, often swimming in places where small animals are haunted, and the predation rate is particularly high. When the outside temperature rises to 24~31℃, its predation is vigorous, its activities are more frequent, and it becomes much more ferocious. If a stranger is approaching, they will attack violently; if they are thrown into the mouse, they will respond quickly, turn their head to the direction of the mouse, and at the same time raise the front of the body in an attacking and bite stance; then attack quickly, its speed It is as fast as an arrow from the string, and it can generally catch the prey accurately; if the mouse escapes, the snake will wait for the opportunity to bite again until it catches the prey. After being bitten, the mouth will no longer be released, and will be wrapped and squeezed with the body. Sometimes it can be seen that the mouse's eyes, nose, corners of the mouth and other parts bleed, and it does not let go until the prey is suffocated to death, and then finds the head of the prey and devours it. Occasionally hungry people sometimes start to swallow from the rear of the rat, and the speed of swallowing depends on the size of the prey. In most cases, it only takes 3 to 5 minutes to swallow a mouse of about 50 grams; if the swallowed prey is larger, the time required will be longer. When the amount of swallowing is more than 250 grams, it can be seen that the throat is sticking out of the corner of the mouth to ensure normal breathing. It takes about 25 to 40 minutes to swallow the food smoothly into the abdomen.

black-browed brocadeSnakes like to eat live meat such as birds and rodents, but have no appetite for frogs. Under artificial feeding conditions, considering the economical benefits, we can feed eliminated quails and chicks mainly. Since this snake is a non-venomous snake, if you like it, you can raise it boldly.

If a stranger is approaching, it will attack violently; if it is thrown into the mouse, it will respond quickly, turn its head to the direction of the mouse, and at the same time raise the front of the body in an attacking and biting stance ; Then attack quickly, its speed is as fast as an arrow from the string, and it can generally catch the prey accurately; if the mouse escapes, the snake will wait for the opportunity to bite again until it catches the prey. After being bitten, the mouth will no longer be released, and will be wrapped and squeezed with the body. Sometimes it can be seen that the mouse's eyes, nose, corners of the mouth and other parts bleed, and it does not let go until the prey is suffocated to death, and then finds the head of the prey and devours it. Occasionally hungry people sometimes start to swallow from the rear of the rat, and the speed of swallowing depends on the size of the prey. In most cases, it only takes 3 to 5 minutes to swallow a mouse of about 50 grams; if the swallowed prey is larger, the time required will be longer. When the amount of swallowing is more than 250 grams, it can be seen that the throat is sticking out of the corner of the mouth to ensure normal breathing. It takes about 25 to 40 minutes to swallow the food smoothly into the abdomen.

Feeding behavior is the basic behavior necessary for the survival and reproduction of the animal itself. The black-browed brocade snake mostly hunts for food by wandering, often swimming in places where small animals are haunted, and the predation rate is particularly high.