At first glance, and often, the Oriental Rat Snake is confused with Chinese Cobras and King Cobras due to their similar colors, patterns, and size.

Like many other rat snake species, it inflates and flattens its neck vertically as a deterrent, accompanying this behavior with hisses and strikes that remain harmless to humans as it is a non-venomous species.

It is an effective controller of rodent populations, with rodents being its main food source.