Colubridae
Kosempo Keelback
HarmlessHebius sauteri
4 photographs of the Kosempo Keelback. (c) Teddy Gilbert, some rights reserved (CC BY).
The Kosempo Keelback (Hebius sauteri) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Kosempo Keelback
Hebius sauteri, commonly known as Sauter's keelback or the Kosempo keelback, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia.
Etymology
The specific name, sauteri, is in honor of German entomologist Hans Sauter.
Distribution and habitat
H. sauteri is found in southern China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam.
The preferred natural habitats of H. sauteri are freshwater wetlands, grassland, shrubland, and forest, at altitudes of 580–1,450 m (1,900–4,760 ft).
Reproduction
H. sauteri is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Kosempo Keelback
- Is the Kosempo Keelback venomous?
- No. The Kosempo Keelback (Hebius sauteri) 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 Kosempo Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Kosempo Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Kosempo Keelback dangerous?
- The Kosempo Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Kosempo Keelback live?
- The Kosempo Keelback has verified records in 4 countries, including Chinese Taipei, China, Viet Nam. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Kosempo Keelback?
- The specific name, sauteri, is in honor of German entomologist Hans Sauter.
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 sauteri
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.