Tropidonophis mairii


Tropidonophis mairii, commonly known as the common keelback, the freshwater snake, the keelback, and Mair's keelback, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Australasia.

Etymology

The specific name, mairii, is in honor of "Dr. Mair", an army surgeon with the 39th Regiment of Foot, who collected the holotype.

Geographic range

T. mairii is found in Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, and Papua New Guinea.

Description

, T. mairii is olive, brown, or blackish, with small black spots, or with black crossbars anteriorly. Ventrally, it is lighter. The subcaudals and often also the ventrals are edged with black. The dorsal scales are strongly keeled, and arranged in 15 rows at midbody.
T. mairii resembles some Australian venomous snakes, the taipans and the rough-scaled snake.
T. mairii rarely grows over in total length.

Diet

Mair's keelback feeds mainly on amphibians and small lizards. It is one of the few snakes that can eat cane toads, up to a certain size, without being harmed.

Reproduction

T. mairii is oviparous.