Checkered Keelback
Fowlea piscator • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Fowlea, Species: F. piscator
Widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China, and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia.
Look up Checkered Keelback in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Fowlea, Species: F. piscator
Conservation
Evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution, high adaptability to human-modified aquatic habitats, and large population size.
Physical Description
Displays a distinctive checkered dorsal pattern of dark spots alternating with lighter interspaces. The head is distinct from the neck with dark vertical lines radiating from the lower border of the eyes. The eye is notably clouded with a bluish tint, indicating the animal is in the premolting phase (ecdysis). Scales are heavily keeled.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen appears to be a medium-sized sub-adult. Typical adults range from 60 cm to 1.2 meters in total length, with females generally growing larger than males.
Habitat
Found predominantly near freshwater bodies such as ponds, lakes, rivers, paddy fields, marshes, and slow-moving streams. Prefers low-elevation wetlands and agricultural areas with abundant aquatic prey.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily feeds on freshwater fish, amphibians, and occasionally aquatic insects or tadpoles. It is an active diurnal forager that hunts primarily by sight and movement in shallow waters.
Reproduction
Oviparous species. Females typically lay large clutches ranging from 20 to 80 eggs, usually deposited in damp soil, decaying vegetation, or under rocks near water sources during the monsoon season.
Look-alikes
Can be confused with other natricine water snakes such as Xenochrophis or Amphiesma species. Distinguishing features include the specific checkered dorsal pattern, distinct labial markings, and scale counts.
Conservation Status
Evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution, high adaptability to human-modified aquatic habitats, and large population size.
Cultural Significance
Plays a vital role in wetland ecosystems by controlling amphibian and fish populations. Often encountered in agricultural rice paddies where it helps regulate pest species.
Notable Features
The prominent opaque, bluish-colored eye visible in the specimen is a classic sign of the ocular scale becoming milky prior to shedding (ecdysis), during which time the snake's vision is temporarily impaired.