Moellendorff's ratsnake

Orthriophis moellendorffi, now on-show in the exhibit beside the tuataras. A decently sized snake which was making a nice show. The head and tail are both reddish brown, contrasting with mottled green body.

Taken especially for Javan Rhino?

@bongorob I hope he enjoys it - but of course I took it for all ZooChatters
And, as Mallory said of Everest, 'because it's there'

These snakes are also know as the Red Headed Rat Snake and 100 Flower Rat Snake if anyone is interested.They are also slightly becoming popular in the captive breeding of reptiles in private hands.

This species was imported at the end of the 1980-ties - beginning 1990-ties in huge numbers into Western Europe but 99.9 % died within weeks and the rest within several months .
A few specialists seem to have tried it again and again with the species and afther the first captive-bred animals came avaible, it seem to go better with the captive-population and is the species not any more that difficult to keep and breed.

Chester's stock was hatched from 5 eggs donated by former curator Richard Gibson when he emigrated.

@vogelcommando I was amazed when I saw captive bred juveniles for the first time at the Doncaster reptile show in 2015; their colours were amazing.
@Komodo99 while red-headed ratsnake is an understandable common name, I really don't like it when they're referred to as 100-flower rat snakes, as it seems to make little sense- sadly heard it more frequently recently, after certain large-scale US breeders referred to them by that name.

@Swampy I thought the name was odd too as their markings don't even resemble flowers at all.Like you said it was some American reptile enthusiasts such as Brian Barczyk used that name.I would stick with either red headed or Moellendorff's ratsnake.

@Komodo99 I call it Red-Headed because I cannot spell nor pronounce the other name