Home > Indian History > Flora & Fauna > Checkered Keelback
Checkered Keelback
Checkered Keelback is an Indian reptile and it belongs to the species of non venomous snake.

Share this Article:

Checkered Keelback, Indian ReptileCheckered Keelback or Asiatic Water Snake is an Indian Reptile that bears a scientific name "Xenochrophis piscator" is a common species of non-venomous snake concentrated widely in Asia and South Asian countries.

Eyes of Checkered Keelback
The eyes of Checkered Keelback or Asiatic Water Snake are rather small, and shorter than its distance from the nostril in the adult.

Scales of Checkered Keelback
The rostral scale of Checkered Keelback is visible from above. The intranasal scales are much narrowed anteriorly and subtriangular, with the anterior angle truncated 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.

Loreal of Checkered Keelback
The loreal of Checkered Keelback is nearly as long as it is deep. There is one pre-ocular and three (rarely four) post-oculars.

Temporals of Checkered Keelback
The temporals of Checkered Keelback 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.

Rows of Checkered Keelback
The scales of Checkered Keelback or Asiatic water snake are arranged in 19 rows, strongly keeled, with outer rows smooth.

Ventrals of Checkered Keelback
The ventrals are at 125-158, anal divided, with subcaudals at 64-90.

Colours of Checkered Keelback
Checkered Keelback or Asiatic Water Snake has the coloration which is very variable. It is 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.

Habitat of Checkered Keelback
Checkered Keelback or Asiatic Water Snake is found in or near freshwater lakes or rivers.

Feedings of Checkered Keelback
Checkered Keelback or Asiatic Water Snake feeds mainly on small fish and water frogs.

Concentration of Checkered Keelback
Checkered Keelback or Asiatic Water Snake is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indian states like Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, West Malaysia, China (Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan), Taiwan, and Indonesia.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Flora & Fauna


Flora Of Uttarakhand
Uttaranchal falls under the west Himalayan Biogeography zone and it is well-known for floral diversity .
Flora and Fauna of Ladakh
Flora and Fauna is typical to t he kind of mountainous terrain which dominate the entire landscape of the region. Though some varieties of fauna are to be found here, the vegetation is very limited due to the dry and cold climate.
Flora and fauna in Tripura
Two-thirds of Tripura is forested where different species of trees, orchids, birds and wildlife are found. There are four sanctuaries in the state namely, Rowa wildlife sanctuary, Sepahijala wildlife sanctuary, Trishna wildlife sanctuary and Gumti wildlife sanctuary.
Flora and Fauna in Meghalaya
70 percent of Meghalaya is forested. Meghalayan forests are considered to be among the richest botanical habitats of Asia. These forests receive abundant rainfall and support a vast variety of floral and faunal biodiversity.
Flora and Fauna of Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is rich in flora and fauna. Flora includes thorn bush type of the arid plain to the temperate and alpine flora of the higher altitudes. Faunal species found here are leopard, cheetah and deer, wild sheep, bear, brown musk shrew, muskrat; varieties of snakes, bats, lizards etc.
Flora and fauna in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Economy of this region is primly based on agriculture. In Andaman island, paddy is the main food crop, while in Nicoabar island coconut and areca nut are the main crops. Some field crops like pulses, oilseeds and vegetables are also grown here.
Flora And Fauna Of Uttar Pradesh
Flora and Fauna of Uttar Pradesh is widely diversified and adds pride to the state.
Flora and fauna of Kerala
Flora and Fauna of Kerala are diverse. The favourable climate with heavy rainfall and good quality of the soils helps both the flora and fauna to thrive. Forest covers a large area in the Western Ghats of Kerala.
Flora and fauna of Karnataka
Flora and fauna of Karnataka are diverse and comprise of plants, animals, birds, reptiles, etc. Flora of Karnataka comprises of species like eucalyptus, teak and rosewood. Fauna of Karnataka comprises of species like leopard, gaur and wild pig.
Flora and Fauna of Rajasthan
The flora and fauna of Rajasthan supports all kinds of animal species and forests. The diverse flora and fauna of Rajasthan has made it a popular tourist destination.
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh includes infinite species and is a subject of great interests for the botanists.
Flora and Fauna of Manipur
Flora and fauna of Manipur are known to be the assemblage of a huge variety including the endangered ones. The place is especially famed for orchid species which includes the most vibrant and beautiful ones of the world.