Keelback

Taxobox | name = Keelback
status =


image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
familia = Colubridae
genus = "Tropidonophis"
species = "T. mairii"
binomial = "Tropidonophis mairii"

The Keelback ("Tropidonophis mairii") is a harmless snake found throughout Northern Australia; it is also known as the freshwater snake. It resembles two venomous snakes, the Taipan and the Rough scaled snake, and this has obviously assisted its evolution. It rarely grows over one metre and feeds mainly on amphibians and small lizards. It is also one of the only snakes that can eat Cane Toads without effect.

It is not to be confused with "Amphiesma vibakari ruthveni", which is called the Asian Keelback or Japanese Keelback.

References