What is Japanese striped snake?
{{speciesbox | name = Japanese four-lined ratsnake | image = Elaphe quadrivirgata.JPG | genus = Elaphe | species = quadrivirgata | authority = ([[Heinrich Boie|H. Boie]], 1826) | synonyms = *''Coluber quadrivirgatus'' <small>H.Boie, 1826</small> * ''Composoma quadrivirgatum'' <small>&mdash; [[André Marie Constant Duméril|A.M.C. Duméril]], [[Gabriel Bibron|Bibron]] & [[Auguste Duméril|A.H.A. Duméril]], 1854</small> * ''Elaphis quadrivirgatus'' <small>&mdash; [[Albert Günther|Günther]], 1858</small> * ''Coluber quadrivirgatus'' <small>&mdash; [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1894</small> * ''Elaphe quadrivirgata'' <small>&mdash; [[Leonhard Hess Stejneger|Stejneger]], 1907</small><ref>The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.</ref> }} [[File:Elaphe_quadrivirgata_head.JPG|thumb|Elaphe quadrivirgata]] The '''Japanese striped snake''' is a species of snake [[endemic]] to [[Japan]]. ==Appearance== They are about 80~150&nbsp;cm. Sometimes there are black types but usually they are light yellow. Their scales are not so big so they can't swallow big animals. ==Living areas== They live in almost all areas of Japan (Hokkaido, Honsyuu, Shikoku, Kyuusyu, Osumi islands). ==Food and Water== They mainly eat rats, birds, lizards, frogs, and snakes. They like reptiles and amphibians. They sometimes prey on one another.They drink water from their mouths. ==Reproduction== They lay 4~16 eggs from July to August. Hatching period is 40~50 days.The eggs are usually under the soil,a gap in the stone wall, or under the fallen leaves. ==Threats== Decreasing of Paddy field,forest, and Grassland as their habitat. ==Relationship with humans== They are often seen in the rural area.They move on the ground so they are often run over by the car. Color mutation often happens with them, so people sometimes have them as a pet. ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Colubrids]] [[Category:Animals of Japan]] [[Category:Snakes of Asia]]