Rhabdophis himalayanus

Orange-collared keelback
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Subfamily:	Natricinae
Genus:	Rhabdophis
Species:	R. himalayanus
Binomial name
Rhabdophis himalayanus (Günther, 1864)
Synonyms
Tropidonotus himalayanus Günther, 1864 Macropisthodon himalayanus Annandale, 1905 Rhabdophis himalayanus Wall, 1923 Natrix himalayanus Smith, 1938 Rhabdophis himalayana Sharma, 2004

The orange-collared keelback (Rhabdophis himalayanus) is a species of snake. As with its congenerics, this is a reared-fanged species. The toxicity of its venom is not known, but it overpowers its prey quickly. Even if it is considered harmless, an allergic reaction from the bite can still occur, and all bites should be taken seriously.

Description

Dorsally it is olive with small dark spots and two longitudinal series of small whitish spots or narrow crossbars. Behind the head there is an orange or yellow collar, usually interrupted on the midline, followed by a blackish blotch on the nape. The upper labials are yellowish with black sutures. Ventrally it is yellowish, speckled with brown or black, or entirely grayish olive or blackish. It may attain 83 cm (33 inches) in total length, tail 20 cm (8 inches).

Distribution

India (Sikkim, Assam; Arunachal Pradesh (Siddi (=Gandhigram), Miao - Changlang district, Chimpu, Itanagar - Papum Pare district, Pasighat, Boleng - East Siang district) ), Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, N Myanmar (Burma), China (Yunnan, Yizang/Tibet).

Type locality: "Nepal"

References

• Boulenger, George A. 1890 The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. Taylor & Francis, London, xviii, 541 pp.
• Günther, A. 1864 The Reptiles of British India. London (Taylor & Francis), xxvii + 452 pp.