Rhabdophis subminiatus

Rhabdophis subminiatus
Rhabdophis subminiatus from Bogor, West Java
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Natricinae
Genus: Rhabdophis
Species: R. subminiatus
Binomial name
Rhabdophis subminiatus
(Schlegel, 1837)
Synonyms

Tropidonotus subminiatus Schlegel, 1837
Amphiesma subminiatum Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854
Natrix subminiata Barbour, 1912
Rhabdophis subminiatus Bourret, 1936

The red-necked keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus) is a species of snake in the family Colubridae.

Description

The snake has a greenish hue with red and yellow regions near the head. It grows to 70 to 90 cm (28-35 inches) in length.

Habitat and behavior

It generally lives near ponds, where it consumes frogs and fish.

Venom

Rhabdophis subminiatus is a rear-fanged species and was previously thought to be harmless. However, following one fatal and several near-fatal envenomations, the toxicity of its venom was investigated. As a result, it has recently been reclassified as a dangerous species. These snakes need to bite and hold on, or, repeatedly bite to have any effect on humans as they are considered rear-fanged. Meaning a chewing action facilitates envenomation as the venom ducts open to fangs that are posterior in the oral cavity.

Distribution

The red-necked keelback can be found in the following areas of the world:

The keelback of the race 'helleri' can be found in the following locations:

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rhabdophis subminiatus.

References

  1. ↑ "Rhabdophis subminiatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.