Colubridae
Johann's Keelback
HarmlessHebius johannis
3 photographs of the Johann's Keelback. (c) sixgrowmushroom, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Johann's Keelback (Hebius johannis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Johann's Keelback
Hebius johannis, also known commonly as Johann's keelback, is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to China.
Etymology
The specific name, johannis, is in honor of the Rev. John Graham who sent the first three specimens of this species to Boulenger.
Geographic range
H. johannis is found in Southwestern China in the inland provinces of Guizhou, Sichuan, and Yunnan.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of H. johannis is the vicinity of rivers and streams in forest and montane grassland, at altitudes of 1,200–2,750 m (3,940–9,020 ft), but it has also been found in artificial habitats such as rice paddies.
Diet
H. johannis preys upon fishes.
Reproduction
H. johannis is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Johann's Keelback
- Is the Johann's Keelback venomous?
- No. The Johann's Keelback (Hebius johannis) 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 Johann's Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Johann's Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Johann's Keelback dangerous?
- The Johann's Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Johann's Keelback live?
- The Johann's Keelback has verified records in 1 country, including China. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Johann's Keelback eat?
- H. johannis preys upon fishes.
- Why is it called the Johann's Keelback?
- The specific name, johannis, is in honor of the Rev. John Graham who sent the first three specimens of this species to Boulenger.
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 johannis
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.