Colubridae
Yellow-spotted Keelback
HarmlessFowlea flavipunctata
6 photographs of the Yellow-spotted Keelback. © observe-syz.
The Yellow-spotted Keelback (Fowlea flavipunctata) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 15 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Yellow-spotted Keelback
The yellow-spotted keelback (Fowlea flavipunctata) is a species of colubrid snake found in
Thailand, Myanmar, China, West Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. Its type locality is: Island of Hong Kong (Hong Kong) and Canton River?, China.
IUCN includes Taiwan in the range of F. flavipunctata, but excludes Malaysia and Bangladesh.
F. f. schnurrenbergeri of Nepal is now considered an independent species, Fowlea schnurrenbergeri.
Habitat and behaviour
F. flavipunctata is a semiaquatic snake that occurs in slow rivers and streams, marshes, swamps, ponds, and lakes. It thrives also in wet human-modified habitats, including rice fields and ditches. It feeds on fish and frogs. It is diurnal.
Relations with humans
F. flavipunctata is exploited in parts of its range to support snake farms and pigs and for use in snake wine.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Yellow-spotted Keelback
- Is the Yellow-spotted Keelback venomous?
- No. The Yellow-spotted Keelback (Fowlea flavipunctata) 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 Yellow-spotted Keelback poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Yellow-spotted Keelback is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Yellow-spotted Keelback dangerous?
- The Yellow-spotted Keelback is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Yellow-spotted Keelback live?
- The Yellow-spotted Keelback has verified records in 15 countries, including Thailand, Chinese Taipei, China. 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
- Fowlea
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Fowlea flavipunctata
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.