Colubridae
Sabah Keelback
HarmlessHebius flavifrons
6 photographs of the Sabah Keelback. © 林正文.
The Sabah Keelback (Hebius flavifrons) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Sabah Keelback
The Sabah keelback (Hebius flavifrons) is a nonvenomous colubrid endemic to Borneo.
Description
Adults are about 54 cm (21 inches) in total length, of which about 18 cm (7 inches) is tail. Body slender; midbody scales 19, keeled; ventrals 149–157; subcaudals 92–101; dorsum olive-grey, with darker markings; a distinctive white to yellowish-cream spot on snout.
Habitat and behavior
It is frequently encountered in rivers in the plains and midhills, seen swimming with its head held out of water.
Diet
Its diet includes frog eggs, tadpoles and frogs.
Reproduction
Nothing is known about its reproductive biology.
Geographic range
It is endemic to Borneo. It has been found in Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Sabah Keelback
- Is the Sabah Keelback venomous?
- No. The Sabah Keelback (Hebius flavifrons) 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 Sabah Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Sabah Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Sabah Keelback dangerous?
- The Sabah Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Sabah Keelback live?
- The Sabah Keelback has verified records in 3 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Sabah Keelback eat?
- Its diet includes frog eggs, tadpoles and frogs.
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 flavifrons
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.