Utiger et al. (2002) found little genetic differentiation between this species and Elaphe schrenckii, of which it had previously been considered a subspecies (Zhao and Adler 1993), despite clear morphological differences. Utiger et al. (2002) suggested that the specific status of E. anomala requires verification. An et al. (2010) corroborated these results for Korea, finding that Korean populations - presently assigned to E. schrenckii - did not warrant recognition as separate species. E. schrenckii is retained as a valid species here pending wider sampling and formal taxonomic action.

European regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)
EU 27 regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)

This species is considered Not Applicable for the European region, as it occurs there as a result of introduction.

This species is introduced to the European region, with records from the Netherlands from which free-ranging animals were first reported "around 1995" (Koppel 2012).

This East Asian species is found in north-eastern China (Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces), both North and South Korea (being widespread throughout most of this region; Lee and Park 2011), and southern Siberia (Russia) (Zhou and Zhou 2004). In Russia, the range extends from the Primorski Kai and Khabarovsk Territory west to Lesser Khirgan range in the Amur Region, and north to Komsol'sk-ra-Amure (Ananjeva et al. 2006). A single record exists from Mongolia, from the western spur of the Great Khirgan range (Ananjeva et al. 2006). This was a sight record taken in 1983 "at a distance", and surveys are needed to confirm whether the species genuinely does occur in Mongolia (Terbish et al. 2006). It is found from sea level to 1,500 m asl (Mehrtens 1987).

This is a common species. About 3,300,000 individuals are estimated to occur in China (State Forestry Administration of China 2009). In Korea, the snake has declined to "critically low levels" in rural areas subject to urbanization (Lee and Park 2011).

This species is found in open montane forests, forest edges and clearings (and sometimes in dense forest - Ananjeva et al. 2006), wooded valleys, and plains. Animals forage for small mammals, birds, and eggs, often frequenting agricultural areas in search of rats. Zhou and Zhou (2004) reported that females lay 12-21 eggs; other sources indicate that 13-30 eggs are deposited in mid-July and hatch in late August. Animals exhibit a preference for water and are often associated with rocky stream banks and valley mouths (Lee and Park 2011). Several individuals have been recorded using these areas as oviposition sites, and as hibernacula between November and April (Lee and Park 2011).

There appear to be no significant threats to this species overall, and is not thought to be at any serious risk of extinction (Ananjeva et al. 2006). Exploitation by people might be a threat in parts of its range. In rural areas of Korea, it is threatened by habitat loss and degradation associated with modernization, including the replacement of rocky banks along streams with unsuitable concrete substrates, and substantial declines have been reported in affected areas (Lee and Park 2011). While preliminary evidence suggests that translocated animals in Korea can survive relocation to protected areas (Lee and Park 2011), this study found a high rate of apparent mortality (6 of 11 individuals) among radio-tracked individuals following translocation and suggested that translocated animals make use of suboptimal habitats at the host site, potentially affecting their long-term viability.

This and other Elaphe species are often used as food by people in China (Zhao 1998). Semenov (2011) also reported that this species is used as food in Russia's far east. It does not appear to be used for traditional medicinal purposes. It is a cultural symbol in Korea, where it is the largest snake and is accorded "divine" status (Lee and Park 2011).

In China, this species is listed as protected at the provincial level in Heilongjiang and Liaoning (Zhao 1998). Since 2005, the Korean Ministry of the Environment has classified it as a Class I endangered species (Lee and Park 2011). Measures are in place requiring translocation of animals at risk from development in South Korea, and while based on a small sample size one study (Lee and Park 2011) found that gravid females in particular were capable of surviving and ovipositing successfully following translocation. It is present in many protected areas. More research is needed to determine effective conservation measures in areas where the species is at local risk (Lee and Park 2011), including ecological research.

In the Republic of Korea, the species has been listed as a category I endangered species by the Ministry of Environment from 2005 to 2018, at which date it was down-listed to a category II endangered species following conservation intervention. This assessment is largely due to habitat loss, fragmentation and poaching (Lee et al. 2012). It is the only reptile species that has been bred in Korea with the purpose of restoring wild populations (Park et al. 2015). The captive-bred individuals were then translocated to pre-determined sites with expected low population densities within Odaesan National Park, an area accessible only after inspection by the National Park office (Park et al. 2015). One adult male, six two-year-old juveniles, and four one-year-old juveniles were released on September 15, 2015 into Naemyeon branch of Odaesan National Park in Hongcheon, Gangwon province (Park et al. 2015).