Buffstriped keelback

Scientific Name: Crotalus terrificus

Size: small to medium-size

• Adult: 40 cm
• When Born: 9 cm
• Maximum: 80 cm

Type: Non Venomous Snake

Appearence: They are equipped with long teeth at the back of their jaw. The body coloration is variable from dark or pale brown. They do have a long running yellow stripe on both the sides of the body. The head is light brown in color. The lip region and the cheeks of the snake are white.

Nature:  It is a shy and inoffensive snake. They are most active during the day and sleep off night in the crevices of rocks or in tree barks. They rarely bite even when caught. They flatten their body when threatened.

Distribution:  Found all over India and up to an elevation of 2000 mts. in the hill.

Habitat: They are seen in paddy fields, thick grasslands and in small bushes.

Feeds on: It mainly feeds on frogs. Their diet also includes lizards, rats. Young ones eat small frogs and insects. 

Reproduction: They lay about 12 eggs. They are known to lay eggs throughout the year.

Status: Very Common

Side Line:

• Keelbacks are so called because they have a keel (as in a boat) along the longitudinal axis of dorsal scales.

• It is closely related to and resembles the water snake.

• These snakes are often mistaken for smaller cobras and are killed at sight in gardens and peoples houses.