Thai Bamboo Rat Snake (Oreocryptophis porphyraceus coxi)
The Thai Bamboo Rat Snake is a striking red-and-black banded rat snake native to the montane forests of Thailand. It remains relatively small and is known by many common names such as the red mountain racer, red bamboo snake, and black-banded trinket snake).
Overview:
Adults are small and slender, typically 80–100 cm in length (about 2.5–3.5 ft), with females occasionally up to ~120 cm1)2). They have a brilliant red to orange base color with bold jet-black bands or stripes, and a black stripe through the eye and along the head. Unlike some other ratsnakes, juveniles look similar to adults in pattern and color (the wild-type coxi hatchlings are brightly colored, not drab). This vivid coloration likely helps them camouflage among leaf litter and bamboo while also warning off predators by mimicking more dangerous species3).
Data Sheet & Breeders
| oreocryptophis_porphyraceus_coxi (serpentes) | |
|---|---|
| Profile Pic | ![]() |
| Common Name | Thai Bamboo Ratsnake |
| Scientific Name | Oreocryptophis porphyraceus coxi |
| Other Names | Red Bamboo Ratsnake, Red Bamboo Snake, Thai Red Mountain Racer, Red Mountain Ratsnake, Black-banded Trinket Snake |
| Family | Colubridae |
| Genus | Oreocryptophis |
| Species | porphyraceus |
| Subspecies | coxi |
| Grouping | cornsnakes_ratsnakes |
| Difficulty | intermediate |
| Basking Temperature | 80-84°F (27-29°C) |
| Cool End | 68-74°F (20-23°C) |
| Humidity | High (50-70%) |
| Notes | Heat sensitive, high humidity requirements |
| Known Breeders: | Region |
|---|---|
| The Reptile Lounge | North America |
