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Description
Vietnamese Blue Beauty Rat Snake
Scientific Name: Orthriophis taeniurus callicyanous
Common Name: Vietnamese Blue Beauty Rat Snake, Blue Beauty Snake
Species Overview
Size: Adults typically reach 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) in length, with a long, muscular body and semi-prehensile tail.
Appearance: The Vietnamese Blue Beauty Rat Snake is one of the most visually striking subspecies of the Beauty Snake complex, named for its metallic blue and turquoise hues. The body is elongated and sleek, with iridescent scales that shimmer between shades of sky blue, silver, and steel-grey depending on the light. A dark lateral stripe runs from the eye through the length of the body, often accented by black mottling or faint banding toward the tail. The head is elongated and expressive, typically brighter blue or teal than the body. The ventral surface is pale cream to light blue, and the eyes are large, golden, and alert. This combination of metallic sheen and smooth patterning gives the species a truly captivating appearance.
Distribution: Found throughout Vietnam and parts of southern China and Laos, often in humid lowland forests and agricultural regions.
Habitat: Vietnamese Blue Beauty Rat Snakes inhabit tropical forests, forest margins, and agricultural zones across Southeast Asia. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums with soft substrate, climbing branches, and secure hiding areas.
Behaviour: This species is diurnal, semi-arboreal, and extremely active. They are intelligent and alert, often tracking movement outside their enclosure. While defensive when young, they typically calm with consistent care and minimal stress. Their quick, graceful movements and awareness make them both fascinating and challenging captives.
Captive Care
Enclosure: Adults require spacious, vertically oriented enclosures of at least 6 feet × 2.5 feet × 3 feet. Provide climbing branches, hides at various levels, and visual barriers to reduce stress. The enclosure should allow both height for climbing and ground space for exploration.
Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a daytime temperature gradient of 78–86°F (26–30°C) with a basking area near 90°F (32°C). Allow nighttime drops to 72–75°F (22–24°C). Maintain humidity between 60–75%, providing consistent airflow and regular misting.
Diet: Offer frozen-thawed rodents of appropriate size every 7–10 days for juveniles and every 10–14 days for adults. Some individuals may accept small birds as enrichment prey items.
Behaviour in Captivity: Vietnamese Blue Beauties are highly intelligent and visually responsive. They often observe their surroundings and are quick to explore. They require patient, confident handling but generally become manageable adults when consistently worked with.
Special Considerations: Due to their size, activity level, and humidity needs, this species is best suited for intermediate or advanced keepers. Ensure secure enclosures with good ventilation, as they are strong and agile climbers.
Genetics Note
The Vietnamese Blue Beauty Rat Snake is primarily maintained in its natural wild-type form, though subtle regional variation exists in hue and pattern intensity. Northern populations often appear more silver or slate blue, while southern individuals can display brighter turquoise and yellow accents. Captive breeding has enhanced these colour traits through selective pairing rather than genetic mutation. A few rare Albino (recessive) and Hypomelanistic (recessive) individuals have been reported, but these remain exceptionally uncommon and are not established as stable morph lines. The species’ iridescent blue sheen and natural pattern variation remain its defining traits in herpetoculture.
Species Summary
The Vietnamese Blue Beauty Rat Snake (Orthriophis taeniurus callicyanous) is an intelligent, fast-moving, and visually breathtaking colubrid prized for its iridescent blue tones and active nature. Elegant yet powerful, it embodies the grace and intensity of Southeast Asia’s arboreal snakes. With its metallic sheen, inquisitive behaviour, and adaptability, the Blue Beauty remains a favourite for keepers seeking a striking, interactive display species.