Tropidonotus stolatus

Striped Keelback is the most widely distributed Amphiesma species. Fairly common in many parts and can be seen easily in moist vegetation in moderate temperature. Can be identified by carefully checking two yellow-brown stripes on body (more visible on posterior half) and yellowish color on head including underside. Scales in 19(17 or 20): 19:17 rows. Ventrals 118-161; anal usually divided. Subcaudals 46-89, paired.

DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERES

Head:

Supralabial 8, 3rd to 5th touches eyes, occasionally 7; preocular 1; loreal 1; postocular 3.

Dorsal: 

Highly Keeled scales in 19 (17 or 20): 19: 17 rows.

Ventral:

118-161; anal mostly divided.

Sub Caudal: 

46-89; paired.

REPRODUCTION

Oviparous with usually two clutches in a year. It is assumed to be capable for mating throughout the year. Most of the new born seen from monsoon to late winters. Female lays up to 15 eggs in dense leaf litters, inside holes and guards them. 

SIZE

Average length - 50cm

Maximum length - 100cm

MORPHOLOGY

Dorsal body:

Body slender with pointed and highly keeled scales. Brownish back with continuous black bands exist which fuse to form blackish-brown posterior body. Two yellowish-brown stripes run longitudinally from neck to end of the tail where they become prominent; become very faint yellow when intersect with blackish bands.

Interscale color Blue in population of most of the parts of country (called forma typica variety); South India, Maharashtra and some parts of North-east specimens bear red interscale color (called erythrostictus variety). This blue and red color appears clearly on provoking the snake.

Ventral body:

Belly glossy white with reddish or grayish tint on side near dorsals; blackish dots may or may not be present on each side of ventrals.

Head:

Head pointed with smooth scales, broader than neck. Olive brown with bluish tint on top. Side of upper head and whole of under head pale yellow or brown. Upper lip marked with blackish edge on their posterior edge.

Tail:

Tail of typical length, with a pointed tip. Two yellowish stripes coming from dorsal body continues to tip. Subcaudal scales paired in zig-zag manner.

Preocular: 1-2; Postocular: 3-4; Supralabials: 7-8 (3rd and 4th or 4th and 5th touches eye); Infralabials: 11-13; Anterior temporals: 1; Posterior temporals: 1-2; Dorsal scale row formula: 19:19:17. Ventrals: 120-161; Subcaudals: 46-89 (paired). Dorsum olive to greenish grey, two buff coloured longitudinal stripes running along body axis with white or red dots. Dark transverse bars present. Venter off white or yellowish white. Look like juvenile of Common Trinket (Coelognathus helena).

ECOLOGY

Active during daytime as well as dawn and night.main activity during monsoon.

BEHAVIOUR

Striped Keelback is a diurnal and terrestrial species which shows activity during day time of moderate temperature. Locomotion typical serpentine and moderate. Behaviour shy and non-offensive. On threatening inflates its fore body and try to escape quickly. No specific display is observed to consider as aggressive response. Can bite in chew manner if handled or stressed for long time.  Feeds mainly on toads and frogs. Also feeds on small rodents.

VENOMOSITY

Harmless

GENERAL HABITAT

Habitat includes moist, mixed and dry deciduous forests, wetlands, grasslands of plains and moderate elevations. Lives in moist vegetation of agricultural lands, gardens, open forests etc. Hides in dense bushes, under leaf litters, grass, rocky cracks etc.