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checkered keelback

Xenochrophis piscator

Photo by HemantKumar
Published on Project Noah
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15.5754, 79.7591

Field Notes

Description:

This snake's eyes are rather small, and shorter than its distance from the nostril in the adult. Its rostral scale is visible from above. The internasal scales are much narrowed anteriorly and subtriangular, with the anterior angle truncated and as long as the prefrontal scales. The frontal scale is longer than its distance from the end of the snout, and as long as the parietals or a little shorter. The loreal is nearly as long as it is deep. There is one preocular and three (rarely four) post-oculars. Its temporals are 2+2 or 2+3. There are normally nine upper labials, with the fourth and fifth entering the eye and five lower labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields, which are shorter than the posterior. Scales are arranged in 19 rows, strongly keeled, with outer rows smooth. Ventrals are at 125–158, anal divided, with subcaudals at 64–90. Coloration is very variable, consisting of dark spots arranged quincuncially and often separated by a whitish network, or of black longitudinal bands on a pale ground, or of dark cross bands, with or without whitish spots. Two oblique black streaks, one below and the other behind the eye, are nearly constant, lower parts white, with or without black margins to the shields.(wiki)

Habitat:

This snake is found in or near freshwater lakes or rivers. It feeds mainly on small fish and water frogs.

Notes:

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (47)

amazing shots! congrats on the great spotting
check for the full full sequence in Gif http://360pixual.blogspot.in/p/gif.html
How Spectacular! Gorgeous Captures Kemant! Well deserved SOTD!
oh, my! this snake was so busy it didn't mind you taking picture whilst feasting :) Cool!
Wow, I've never seen a snake eating a fish. A frog, yes, but not a fish. Very cool series! And Congrats on your SOTD!
Congrats on your wonderful Spotting of the Day Hemant!
Wow! Nice SOTD!
Amazing capture Hemant,congrats on another SOTD and thanks for sharing such a beautiful spotting page
Amazing spots. Congratulations for your another spotting of the day!
Incredible spotting Hemant
CHUZOOOOOOOOOOOOO¡¡¡¡¡ WOW¡¡¡¡ DFJOGIUZXHDRRRRRGL ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
thank you projectnoah and friends .....:)
What a great series, congrats!
So great this series got SOTD! WOW! This is incredible! Congratulations!
What a great action series! Congratulations Hemant, you have earned another spotting of the day! The checkered keelback is a common species in Asia, usually found in or near freshwater lakes or rivers where it feeds mainly on fish and frogs. Although harmless to humans, when provoked it will flatten its neck to give the appearance of a venomous cobra. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152718142150603&set=a.10152383557885603.943728.10150120463815603&type=1 https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/321450101363060737
Amazing :) That is truly mythical on the 2nd and 3rd photo the snake looks like a dragon!
Oh wow! What a great series. This is so incredible. Congratulations! I am just getting into photography of snakes. But this one. WOW! Again!!!!!
Its really an awesome find. You are very lucky Hemant to have captured this series.
Incredible! That is one big meal for him!
Excellent series, congrats!
Amazing spotting Hemant! Seriously, really nice.

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