White-bellied Rat Snake, Ptyas fusca (Günther, 1858) of Sarawak / Borneo around 1100m ASL.

Ptyas fusca (Günther, 1858) is a species of colubrid snake (Colubridae) that was originally described as Coryphodon fuscus; Borneo is given as the type locality. In Borneo, the species is documented in Sarawak, among other places, with evidence/information from Kuching, Labang River, Mengiong River, Mulu and Sibu. The known total distribution area also includes other parts of Southeast Asia (including Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesian islands such as Sumatra and Kalimantan). The species is described as forest-dwelling and is reported from lowland to lower mountain forests up to about 1300 m; its prey includes frogs, lizards and fish. When disturbed, it can remain in a threatening posture and raise its neck.

It is oviparous (egg-laying). The genus name Ptyas comes from the Greek ‘ptyas’ (“spitter”), while the species name fusca refers to the Latin fuscus (‘dark/gloomy’).