Large snake ID from China (1 Viewer)

[Androsnick]

Hi I wonder if anyone can help ID this large snake from China. It was seen on the island of Chongming which is just off Shanghai. I've attached a couple of photos but unfortunately (or as it turned out, probably fortunately) I don't have any images of its head.
It was on a concrete farm track through a paddy field, the snake was stationary (I even wondered if it were dead at one point) I stood and took some shots and waved for my wife and adult son to come and have a look. At that point a dopey/dazed looking frog hopped onto the road and then back into the paddy field. All of a sudden with explosive action the snake almost 'jumped' (don't ask me how, it completely took me by surprise!) into the air and disappeared in a flash into the paddy. I assume? it realised we were there and took evasive action, but with the speed and mobility it seemed to posses I was just glad it went away from me rather than towards me.
I'd estimate it to be around 2m, ~6 foot long and a girth about like an adult wrist ~20cm. (Because of large variations in colour and patterning of many of the different snakes I've had little luck with an internet search, BUT some photos of Monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) resemble the strong patterning of 'my' snake.)
Thanks in advance
Nick

 

[Andy Adcock]

I think it's a Green Rat Snake Ptyas nigromarginata

 

[Androsnick]

I think it's a Green Rat Snake Ptyas nigromarginata

Thanks Andy, I'll investigate that, having trouble finding anything other than a photo at the moment, but the pics do look similar, thank you.

 

[Andy Adcock]

The ID has been confirmed to me, pers com, by Gernot Vogel who writes.....

'its Ptyas nigromarginata or Zaocys nigromarginatus, depending on acceptance of the genus.'

He sent me a paper which I can forward if you're interested?

 

[Andy Adcock]

If you want the paper, PM me an e-mail address.

 

[Androsnick]

The ID has been confirmed to me, pers com, by Gernot Vogel so it is Ptyas nigromarginata though he does add the caveat '
depending on acceptance of the genus.' and he sent me a paper which I can forward if you're interested?

Hi Andy, thanks, I would be interested in the paper - it may be one I thought I'd downloaded about that species (I just found that again and it is authored by Gernot Vogel so I'm guessing it is the paper in question - it hadn't downloaded but I have found the article again). I've not yet fully read it but was thinking that Chongming off the coast of Shanghai was a long way east for it to have got. If you have a different article I'd be pleased to see it. Thanks for your efforts, Nick

 

[Andy Adcock]

It's this

'Addition of Ptyas nigromarginata (Blyth, 1854) (Squamata: Colubridae) to the Snake Fauna of Thailand with Preliminary
Remarks on Its Distribution Gernot VOGEL 1* and Sjon HAUSER'

 

[Androsnick]

It's this

'Addition of Ptyas nigromarginata (Blyth, 1854) (Squamata: Colubridae) to the Snake Fauna of Thailand with Preliminary
Remarks on Its Distribution Gernot VOGEL 1* and Sjon HAUSER'

Hi Andy, yes that's the one - I did just send my e-mail address before I saw this last comment. Is Gernot a friend? As I said above (still not read the paper) it seems to have got a long way east if his paper refers to it being now found in western China. Also, this was most definitely at not much above sea level and also not forest?? Could be an escapee?? Cheers
Nick

 

[Andy Adcock]

Hi Andy, yes that's the one - I did just send my e-mail address before I saw this last comment. Is Gernot a friend? As I said above (still not read the paper) it seems to have got a long way east if his paper refers to it being now found in western China. Also, this was most definitely at not much above sea level and also not forest?? Could be an escapee?? Cheers
Nick

He's just a contact, he's well know author and I have several of his books.

 

[Andy Adcock]

He's just a contact, he's well know author and I have several of his books.

Perhaps contact him yourself and ask, it could be of interest?

[email protected]

 

[IamFof]

VERY attractive