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This is a 185 cm (ca. six foot) Zaocys dhumnades, aka Big-Eyed Ratsnake, aka "Knife That Crosses The Mountain" (the Chinese really outdid themselves here this time). It's the fastest snake in Asia - basically a humongous racer. Fully grown, it can reach 230 cm (7.5 feet), and although it's not an uncommon snake by any means, it's really hard to spot and catch them, unless they run right under a vehicle....which is what happened to this guy. I must have arrived at the scene only minutes after he was hit, because in spite of his severe head injury he kept trying to get away from me and also snapped at me, but all of it in excruciatingly slow motion. His lower jaw was so messed up that I didn't bother to take any close-ups.

Cruising the area later that night, we discovered that he had fallen into the little roadside canal and died there. My sons fished him out, and even in death, the snake was still a majestic presence commanding much respect - I haven't seen my boys so quiet and awestruck in a while.

WOW! I admire all those big racerish snakes.

Your posts never cease to amaze me!

These are definitely cool snakes, I've heard them called everything from big eyed ratsnakes to wusa snakes, but in all reality, they remind me more of a north american coachwhip than anything else. Thanks for sharing! Do you have any more pictures? The juvenilles are really pretty little things.

Kevin

I just love the Chinese interpretation, and I wish more North American Snakes had such apt names. 'Brown Snake' and 'Green Snake' are boringly correct.

-Mike

Thanks, guys! The juveniles of this species are currently high on my target list, as they're really pretty - all shiny blues and greens, dotted with white.

Do you think it was hit or grazed by a car?????

Love your posts btw!

i feel obliged to respond to this thread considering the title of the post and my screen name. awesome snake, id like to try my luck at running one down one day

Grazed by a car, definitely.

Update: After spotting about 20 of these snakes this summer, and not being able to catch a single one of them, Mr Onionsack and me FINALLY BAGGED a nice fat one last Monday - without the help of a motorized vee-hickel, even. Post will follow shortly!

Twoton... Looking forward to it.

Mike - Instead of green snake, how bout "Boogie that hide under rock?"