Trimerodytes percarinatus
Species of snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trimerodytes percarinatus, commonly known as the eastern water snake,[3] olive keelback,[3] olive annulate keelback[3] or Chinese keelback water snake,[1] is a species of snake[3] in the subfamily Natricinae.
| Trimerodytes percarinatus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Trimerodytes |
| Species: | T. percarinatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Trimerodytes percarinatus (Boulenger, 1899) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Taxonomy
The type locality for T. percarinatus is Guadun (formerly spelled as Kuatun), Wuyishan City (former Chongan County) in NW Fujian, China.[3]
Subspecies
The subspecies Trimerodytes percarinatus suriki is endemic to Taiwan[3] where it occurs in the whole country.[4]
Description
T. percarinatus is a defensive snake that bites readily when caught, but it is not venomous.[4][5] It is a medium-sized snake, typically attaining a total length (including tail) of 70–90 cm (28–35 in), but may grow up to 110 cm (43 in).[5] An adult female usually lays 4 to 13 eggs,[1] but may lay as many as 25 eggs.[4]
Distribution and habitat
T. percarinatus is found in NE India (Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh), Myanmar (= Burma), Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, S China (Hainan, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hubei), Hong Kong, and Taiwan.[1][3] It is an aquatic species associated with hilly areas.[1][5]