Tropidonophis mairii

Tropidonophis mairii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Subfamily:	Natricinae
Genus:	Tropidonophis
Species:	T. mairii
Binomial name
Tropidonophis mairii (Gray, 1841)

Tropidonophis mairii, commonly known as the common keelback, Mair's keelback,^[1] the keelback, or the freshwater snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake found throughout Northern Australia.

Description

T. mairii resembles two venomous snakes, the taipan and the rough-scaled snake, and this has obviously assisted its survival. T. mairii rarely grows over 1 m (39 in) in total length (including tail).

Diet

Mair's keelback feeds mainly on amphibians and small lizards. It is one of the few snakes that can eat cane toads (Rhinella marina ), up to a certain size, without being harmed.

Species with similar common names

Tropidonophis mairii is not to be confused with Amphiesma vibakari ruthveni, which is called the Asian Keelback or Japanese Keelback, or with the keelbacks of the genus Rhabdophis

References