Colubridae
Mount Omei Keelback
HarmlessHebius optatus



3 photographs of the Mount Omei Keelback. (c) ghowell77, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Mount Omei Keelback (Hebius optatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Mount Omei Keelback
Hebius optatus, the Mount Omei keelback, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. The snake is found in Vietnam and southwestern China.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Mount Omei Keelback
- Is the Mount Omei Keelback venomous?
- No. The Mount Omei Keelback (Hebius optatus) 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 Mount Omei Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Mount Omei Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Mount Omei Keelback dangerous?
- The Mount Omei Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Mount Omei Keelback live?
- The Mount Omei Keelback has verified records in 2 countries, including China, Viet Nam. 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
- Hebius
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Hebius optatus
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.







