Buff-striped Keelback
Amphiesma stolatum • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Amphiesma, Species: A. stolatum
Venomous Status
Non-venomous (though members of the Natricinae subfamily can sometimes possess mildly toxic saliva, it is not medically significant to humans).
Danger Level
Harmless; they are docile and rarely attempt to bite even when handled.
Geographic Range
Found throughout South and Southeast Asia, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN); it is wide-ranging and common, though local populations can be affected by pesticide use in agricultural runoff.
Physical Description
Greenish-brown to olive-gray body with two characteristic yellow or buff longitudinal stripes running down the back. In the neck region, it features distinct black vertical bars or 'checks' between the scales, often revealing blue or turquoise skin beneath when the snake is excited. The head is distinct from the neck with large eyes and round pupils.
Size & Dimensions
Typically ranges from 40 to 60 cm in length, with maximum records reaching up to 90 cm. The specimen in the image appears to be an adult.
Habitat
Primarily a terrestrial snake found near water bodies, rice paddies, wetlands, and riparian forests. It is common in agricultural areas and gardens, ranging from sea level to approximately 2,000 meters elevation.
Behavior & Temperament
Diurnal and very docile. When threatened, it may flatten its neck to appear larger but rarely bites. It is a slow-moving snake that relies on camouflage or retreat.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily feeds on amphibians (frogs and toads) and occasionally small lizards or fish. They are active foragers that do not use constriction.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay clutches of 5 to 15 eggs during the monsoon season. They are known to exhibit communal nesting in some regions.
Venom Profile
Venom Type
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
AI-generated — see a qualified source if acting on this. For any snakebite, call emergency services immediately.
Look-alikes
Could be confused with the Checkered Keelback (Fowlea piscator), which lacks the distinct longitudinal buff stripes and is much more aggressive.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN); it is wide-ranging and common, though local populations can be affected by pesticide use in agricultural runoff.
Cultural Significance
Commonly encountered by farmers in Asia, it is often viewed as a harmless neighbor and plays a significant ecological role in controlling frog populations in rice paddies.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the 'checkered' appearance of the forebody which reveals bright blue interstitial skin when the snake inflates its body or moves, contrasted against two vivid pale stripes.