Mountain wolf snake (Lycodon r. ruhstrati) predation on an exotic lizard, Anolis sagrei, in Chiayi County, Taiwan

Abstract

The Mountain wolf snake (Lycodon ruhstrati ruhstrati) is a common snake species at low elevations all over Taiwan. Still, it appears to be poorly studied in Taiwan and adjacent areas since little has been reported about this species. On 26 th August 2002 ten L. r. ruhstrati eggs were obtained from an adult female, one of two that were caught a day before, and eight of the eggs hatched successfully on 14 th October 2002. While in captivity all the adults preyed upon Anolis sagrei, which were given to them as prey, while two neonates accepted A. sagrei hatchlings offered to them as food. On February 18 th, 2006, a DOR Mountain wolf snake, with an A. sagrei in its stomach, was found on a tarred road in Santzepu, Sheishan District, Chiayi County. This appears to be the first report from Taiwan of the Mountain wolf snake (L. r. ruhstrati) preying on the exotic introduced lizard A. sagrei.