Colubridae
Deschauensee’s Keelback
HarmlessHebius deschauenseei
3 photographs of the Deschauensee’s Keelback. © Ian Dugdale.
The Deschauensee’s Keelback (Hebius deschauenseei) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Deschauensee’s Keelback
Hebius deschauenseei, commonly known as the northern keelback or Deschauensee's keelback, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia.
Etymology
The specific name, deschauenseei, is in honor of American ornithologist Rodolphe Meyer de Schauensee, who collected the type specimen.
Geographic range
H. deschauenseei is found in Thailand, Vietnam, and southern China (Yunnan and Guizhou).
Its type locality is in Chiang Mai province of Thailand.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of H. deschauenseei is forest with streams, at altitudes from sea level to 300 m (980 ft).
Reproduction
H. deschsuenseei is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Deschauensee’s Keelback
- Is the Deschauensee’s Keelback venomous?
- No. The Deschauensee’s Keelback (Hebius deschauenseei) 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 Deschauensee’s Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Deschauensee’s Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Deschauensee’s Keelback dangerous?
- The Deschauensee’s Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Deschauensee’s Keelback live?
- The Deschauensee’s Keelback has verified records in 3 countries, including Thailand, Viet Nam, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Deschauensee’s Keelback?
- The specific name, deschauenseei, is in honor of American ornithologist Rodolphe Meyer de Schauensee, who collected the type specimen.
Where it is found
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
- Hebius
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Hebius deschauenseei
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.