Striped keelback
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2008) |
| 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 striped keelback, Xenochrophis vittatus, is a species of snake found mainly in Indonesia (Bangka, Java, Sumatra, We, Sulawesi) and Singapore (introduced).[1][2]
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[]
- ^ "Records of striped keelback from eastern Singapore" (PDF). . 30 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Xenochrophis vittatus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- ^ Kerkar, Rajendra P. (September 6, 2020). "Goa: Striped keelback rescued from Ghoteli residence". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
 | This colubrid snake article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by . |
- Xenochrophis
- Reptiles described in 1758
- Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
- Reptiles of Indonesia
- Reptiles of Singapore
- Colubrid stubs