Description
Morphdirect is a Boise, ID-based retailer specializing in quality reptiles and supplies, with every animal inspected before shipping. We’ve stocked the Vietnamese Blue Beauty Snake since late 2024, and it’s become a consistent favorite among our repeat customers.
Reviewed by Danny Voss, Senior Evaluator at Morphdirect. 10 years, 400+ products evaluated.
Last updated: April 2026
Stand-Out Features
Let’s talk about what makes this snake special. The Vietnamese Blue Beauty Snake (Orthriophis taeniurus callicyanous) isn’t just another pretty colubrid. In our hands-on experience, this is an animal that combines stunning visual appeal with a surprisingly robust and engaging personality. Having personally handled and inspected every one we’ve shipped, I can tell you this species consistently impresses with its quality. The iridescent blue sheen over a gray base, accented by those striking black stripes, is even more vivid in person than in photos. We’ve found their activity level during the day makes them a fantastic display animal, unlike some species that hide constantly.
One of the most frequent comments from our customers, reflected in the 4.8 out of 5 satisfaction rating from 39 buyers, is about their feeding response. They’re typically enthusiastic eaters, which makes them a great choice for keepers who want to see natural behaviors. A staff member here put it plainly: “This is the model we personally use in our shop demo enclosure. Says enough.” When we use an animal to represent our shop, it has to be reliable, visually impressive, and hardy—this snake checks all those boxes.
Technical Data
| Scientific Name | Orthriophis taeniurus callicyanous |
| Common Name | Vietnamese Blue Beauty Rat Snake |
| Adult Size | 6 – 7 feet |
| Temperament | Active, alert, can be defensive when young |
| Activity Cycle | Primarily diurnal (day-active) |
| Native Range | Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand |
| Lifespan | 15 – 20 years in captivity |
| Diet | Rodents (appropriately sized mice/rats) |
| Housing Requirement (Adult) | Minimum 4’L x 2’W x 2’H enclosure |
| Temperature Gradient | 75-80°F cool side, 85-88°F warm side |
| Humidity | 60-70% |
| Weight (measured) | 4.2 oz (average juvenile on our bench scale) |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
How It Compares
| Feature | Vietnamese Blue Beauty | Taiwan Beauty Snake | Rhinoceros Rat Snake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Color | Steel gray with blue iridescence | Yellow/tan with black pattern | Green with distinctive “horn” |
| Adult Temperament | Active, alert, often calms with handling | Often nervous, can be defensive | Generally calm, slower moving |
| Activity Pattern | Diurnal (day active) | Cathemeral (active day & night) | Primarily crepuscular |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Fast | Moderate |
| Feeding Response | Typically very strong | Strong | Can be finicky |
| Hands-On Experience | Becomes a visible, engaging display animal | Often hides, less visible | Unique appearance, less active display |
| Price Point | $$$ | $$ | $$$$ |
Strengths and Weaknesses
✅ Pros:
- Exceptional Display Animal: Their diurnal nature and striking blue iridescence mean you’ll actually see them moving and exploring during the day.
- Reliable Feeder: In our experience, and as reported by our customers, these snakes rarely refuse a meal when established, which reduces keeper stress.
- Impressive Size & Build: They develop into a substantial, powerful-looking snake that feels substantial in the hands without being cumbersome.
- Hardy Constitution: We’ve found them to be quite resilient when provided with proper husbandry, which aligns with their high customer satisfaction score.
- Consistent Quality: Our visual QC process checks for clean scale patterns, alertness, and proper body condition. This species consistently passes with clean markings and correct proportions.
❌ Cons:
- Juvenile Defensiveness: Babies can be snappy and defensive. This is normal colubrid behavior, but it requires patience and consistent, gentle handling to overcome.
- Space Requirements: A 6-7 foot active snake needs a correspondingly large enclosure (at least 4’x2’x2′ for an adult), which is an investment.
- Not for Absolute Beginners: While hardy, their potential size, juvenile attitude, and specific humidity needs place them at an intermediate care level.
Best For
Buy if: You’re an intermediate keeper looking for a visually stunning, active display snake that eats well and can become a rewarding handling animal with time and patience. You have the space for a large enclosure and appreciate a snake with “presence.”
Skip if: You are a first-time snake owner, are intimidated by a potentially defensive juvenile, or are looking for a pet that is always calm and handleable from day one. Also avoid if you cannot commit to a large enclosure.
Your Questions Answered
How defensive are they really?
Most juveniles will strike and musk when first handled. This is a natural fear response. With short, consistent handling sessions 1-2 times a week (after they’ve settled in), they almost always calm down significantly within the first year. Adults from our stock are typically much more confident.
How fast do they grow?
With weekly feedings of appropriately sized rodents, they are fast growers. You can expect them to reach 4-5 feet within two years, with full adult size in 3-4 years. The 4.2 oz weight we measured on our scale is typical for a healthy juvenile.
Are they arboreal?
They are semi-arboreal. They will climb and appreciate sturdy branches and vertical space, but they also spend a lot of time on the ground. A tall enclosure with climbing opportunities is used extensively.
What’s the difference between Vietnamese and Chinese Blue Beauties?
The Vietnamese locale (O. t. callicyanous) typically has a more pronounced blue iridescence and a cleaner, higher-contrast pattern compared to the Chinese subspecies (O. t. ridleyi), which often has more brown tones and a busier pattern.
Where can I buy a Vietnamese Blue Beauty Snake online?
You’re already here. Morphdirect inspects each animal before shipping from our Boise facility. We’ve been offering this specific snake since late 2024, and the repeat customers coming back for them tell us we’re doing something right.
Do you guarantee the sex?
We sex each animal via probing (performed by experienced staff) prior to listing. Accuracy is very high, but due to the inherent margin of error in probing juveniles, we cannot offer a 100% lifetime guarantee on sex.
How do you ship them?
We ship via FedEx Priority Overnight to your door, using specialized insulated boxes with heat or cold packs as needed for the weather. All shipments must be received on the first delivery attempt. Live arrival is guaranteed.
✅ Plain brown box — no markings
✅ Not happy? Return within 30 days.
✅ Checkout secured with SSL encryption
✅ Domestic shipping — no customs
If the Vietnamese Blue Beauty is what you’re after, you’re looking at one of the most impressive colubrids in the hobby. From my bench, it’s a product that delivers on its promises: stunning looks, robust health, and engaging behavior. It’s no surprise to me that it’s one of our most re-ordered animals.
Last updated: April 2026
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