Colubridae
Tai-yong Keelback
HarmlessHebius boulengeri
3 photographs of the Tai-yong Keelback. © Dmitry Ivanov.
The Tai-yong Keelback (Hebius boulengeri) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 6 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Tai-yong Keelback
Hebius boulengeri is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to East Asia and Southeast Asia. It is also known commonly as the Tai-yong keelback or Boulenger's keelback.
Etymology
The specific name, boulengeri, is in honor of Belgian-British herpetologist George Albert Boulenger.
Geographic range
H. boulengeri is found in Cambodia, China, and Vietnam.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of H. boulengeri are forest and freshwater streams and wetlands. It is also found in rice paddies.
Diet
H. boulengeri preys upon fishes and amphibians.
Reproduction
H. boulengeri is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Tai-yong Keelback
- Is the Tai-yong Keelback venomous?
- No. The Tai-yong Keelback (Hebius boulengeri) 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 Tai-yong Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Tai-yong Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Tai-yong Keelback dangerous?
- The Tai-yong Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Tai-yong Keelback live?
- The Tai-yong Keelback has verified records in 6 countries, including Viet Nam, China, Hong Kong. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Tai-yong Keelback eat?
- H. boulengeri preys upon fishes and amphibians.
- Why is it called the Tai-yong Keelback?
- The specific name, boulengeri, is in honor of Belgian-British herpetologist George Albert 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 boulengeri
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.