Is the Common keelback venomous?

No. The Common keelback (Tropidonophis mairii) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.

Is the Common keelback poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Common keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Common keelback dangerous?

The Common keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Common keelback live?

The Common keelback has verified records in 4 countries, including Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Common keelback

Harmless

Tropidonophis mairii

2 photographs of the Common keelback. © Ged Tranter.

The Common keelback (Tropidonophis mairii) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.

Family: Colubridae

About the Common keelback

Tropidonophis mairii, also known commonly as Mair's keelback, the common keelback, and the freshwater snake, is a species of colubrid snake in the subfamily Natricinae. The species is native to Australasia.

Etymology

The specific name, mairii, is in honor of "Dr. Mair", an army surgeon with the 39th Regiment of Foot, who collected the holotype.

Geographic range

Tropidonophis mairii is found in Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and Papua New Guinea.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of Tropidonophis mairii are forest, grassland, and freshwater wetlands, at altitudes from sea level to 50 m (160 ft).

Description

Dorsally, Tropidonophis mairii is olive, brown, or blackish, with small black spots, or with black crossbars anteriorly. Ventrally, it is lighter. The subcaudals and often also the ventrals are edged with black. The dorsal scales are strongly keeled, and arranged in 15 rows at midbody.

It resembles the Australian venomous rough-scaled snake (Tropidechis carinatus).

T. mairii rarely grows over 1 m (39 in) in total length (tail included).

Behavior

Tropidonophis mairii is diurnal and nocturnal, arboreal, semi-aquatic, and terrestrial.

Diet

Mair's keelback preys mainly on frogs, but also eats small fishes, lizards, and mammals. It is one of the few snakes that can eat cane toads (Rhinella marina), up to a certain size, without being harmed.

Reproduction

T. mairii is oviparous. Clutch size is 3–18 eggs.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Common keelback

Is the Common keelback venomous?: No. The Common keelback (Tropidonophis mairii) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
Is the Common keelback poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Common keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Common keelback dangerous?: The Common keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Common keelback live?: The Common keelback has verified records in 4 countries, including Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Common keelback eat?: Mair's keelback preys mainly on frogs, but also eats small fishes, lizards, and mammals. It is one of the few snakes that can eat cane toads (Rhinella marina), up to a certain size, without being harmed.
Why is it called the Common keelback?: The specific name, mairii, is in honor of "Dr. Mair", an army surgeon with the 39th Regiment of Foot, who collected the holotype.

Where it is found

Australia Papua New Guinea Indonesia Japan

More Colubridae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards: Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits: Colubridae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Tropidonophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Tropidonophis mairii

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.