Colubridae
Yaeyama keelback
HarmlessHebius ishigakiensis
4 photographs of the Yaeyama keelback. (c) miragin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Yaeyama keelback (Hebius ishigakiensis) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Yaeyama keelback
Hebius ishigakiensis, the Yaeyama keelback, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. The snake is endemic to Ishigaki and Iriomote in the Yaeyama Islands of southernmost Japan.
Description
The holotype is an adult male measuring 93 cm (36.6 in) in total length. The tail makes 27% of the total length. Hatchlings measure about 17 cm (6.7 in).
Habitat and ecology
Hebius ishigakiensis is an uncommon snake that inhabits rivers, paddy fields, and wetlands in both plains and mountain areas. It mainly feeds on frogs and lizards.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Yaeyama keelback
- Is the Yaeyama keelback venomous?
- No. The Yaeyama keelback (Hebius ishigakiensis) 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 Yaeyama keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Yaeyama keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Yaeyama keelback dangerous?
- The Yaeyama keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Yaeyama keelback live?
- The Yaeyama keelback has verified records in 1 country, including Japan. 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 ishigakiensis
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.