Striped keelback

The striped keelback, Xenochrophis vittatus, is a species of snake found mainly in Indonesia (Bangka, Java, Sumatra, We, Sulawesi) and Singapore (introduced).[1][2]

Striped keelback
Xenochrophis vittatus from Central Java
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Xenochrophis
Species:
X. vittatus
Binomial name
Xenochrophis vittatus

The species is also known as Coluber vittatus, Natrix vittata, Natrix vittatus, Tropidonotus vittatus, Fowlea vittata, Xenochrophis vittata, and Ceratophallus vittatus.[2]

Ecology

This diurnal snake is found in rice paddies, ponds, small ditches, and sometimes suburban backyards and home gardens. The striped keelback is rear-fanged and mildly venomous, and is considered harmless; it typically feeds on amphibians, fish, and small lizards and poisonous toads.[3]

In captivity

In central Java, it is also not uncommon for striped keelbacks to be kept by children as pets. It has a reputation for being very mild-mannered and rarely bites. In the United States, wild-caught striped keelbacks are frequently imported and sold as "garter snakes", typically "Canadian garter snakes" or "Indonesian garter snakes", but they are not related to Thamnophis.

References
  1. "Records of striped keelback from eastern Singapore" (PDF). Singapore Biodiversity Records. 30 July 2020.
  2. "Xenochrophis vittatus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  3. Kerkar, Rajendra P. (September 6, 2020). "Goa: Striped keelback rescued from Ghoteli residence". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-04-02.


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