Amphiesma khasiense
| Amphiesma khasiense | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Natricinae |
| Genus: | Amphiesma |
| Species: | A. khasiense |
| Binomial name | |
| Amphiesma khasiense (Boulenger, 1890) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Amphiesma khasiense, commonly known as the Khasi Hills keelback, is a species of colubrid snake endemic to southeastern Asia.[1]
Geographic range
It is found in parts of southern China (Tibet, Yunnan), eastern India (Assam), Thailand,[2][3] Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam.[1]
Description
It is a reddish brown snake with a white transverse bar running across the supralabial scales.
The dorsal scales are in 19 rows, rather strongly keeled, except for the smooth outer row. The ventrals number 150-154, the subcaudals 80-100. The anal plate is divided.
Adults are about 60 cm (23½ in.) total length, of which about 19 cm (7½ in.) is tail.[4]
Diet
The Khasi Hills keelback's nutritional intake consists primarily of toads.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Amphiesma khasiense at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 7 September 2014.
- ↑ "Amphiesma khasiense". Centre for Herpetology, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
- ↑ "Amphiesma khasiense". Thai National Parks. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
- ↑ Boulenger, G.A. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families...Colubridæ Aglyphæ, Part. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I.-XXVIII. (Tropidonotus khasiensis, p. 223 & Plate Xiii., fig. 3.)
Further reading
- Boulenger, G.A. 1890. The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor & Francis, Printers). London. xviii + 541 pp. (Tropidonotus khasiensis, p. 344.)