Colubridae
Javan Keelback
HarmlessFowlea melanzosta
5 photographs of the Javan Keelback. © Ganjar Cahyadi.
The Javan Keelback (Fowlea melanzosta) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Javan Keelback
Fowlea melanzosta, also commonly known as the Javan keelback water snake and the Javanese keelback water snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Indonesia.
Geographic range
F. melanzosta is found in Java and Bali, Indonesia.
Habitat
F. melanzosta is a common species typically encountered in rice paddies, but it also occurs near lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, and in grassland.
Reproduction
F. melanzosta is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Javan Keelback
- Is the Javan Keelback venomous?
- No. The Javan Keelback (Fowlea melanzosta) 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 Javan Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Javan Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Javan Keelback dangerous?
- The Javan Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Javan Keelback live?
- The Javan Keelback has verified records in 3 countries, including Indonesia, Viet Nam, Cambodia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
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
- Fowlea
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Fowlea melanzosta
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.