Javan Keelback

Xenochropis melanozostus

Description

Xenochropis melanozostus was well-built and cylindrical, with a slightly oval head and a distinct neck, large eyes with round pupils. dorsal scales keel and in 19 rows in the middle body, abdomen 128 – 142, subcaudal 66 – 83 and paired, divided anal. brown dorsum staining, with the shape of a patch with elongated patches, and a striped shape having a wide, dark, longitudinal stripes widely open V or U shaped marking wide open on the neck, and 2 distinct subocular lines on the head, abdomen and subcaudal having dark margins. This species is not venomous.

Population Size

Unknown

Life Span

-

WEIGHT​

-

LENGTH

Total length 80 cm,

Ca

Carnivore

Di

Diurnal

No

Nocturnal

Se

Semiaquatic

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Reptilia

ORDER

:

Squamata

FAMILY

:

Natricidae

GENUS

:

Xenochropis

SPECIES

:

Xenochropis melanozostus

Distribution

Snake found in various wetland habitats, including in rice fields.

Geography

Continent : Asia

Country : The species is considered to be common in Java, and recent surveys indicate that it is also common in Bali

Habits and Lifestyle

Xenochropis melanozostus is a semiaquatic snake found in various wetland habitats, including in rice fields. mainly active during the day or diurnal, but can also be active at night (nocturnal), sometimes sleeping in low vegetation. when threatened, flattens the neck and front of the body (possibly imitating a cobra) and may bite viciously. also performs caudal autotomy and feigning death.

Lifestyle

Semiaquatic

Biome

Wetlands

Climate Zone

Tropical

Diet and Nutrition

Xenochropis melanozostus is a carnivorous species. Its main food is frogs (especially ranid) and fish.

Diet : Carnivora

Mating Habits

These snakes reproduce by laying eggs (ovipar)

Reproduction session : –

Incubation periods: –

Independent age : at birth

Baby name : –

Baby carrying :

Population

Population status : Least Concern (LC)

NE

DD

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

EW

EX

Population threats​

The main potential threat to this adaptable and largely human-associated snake is overharvesting for its skin. However, no work has been conducted to estimate the effects of harvests on the wild population, and so it is unclear whether the species is presently subject to overexploitation.

Population number​

This common and adaptable snake is widespread on the large island of Java (which has an area of over 128,000 km2), and is listed as Least Concern due to its relatively wide range, apparently large population and the lack of major threats. The impact of exploitation on this snake requires further study, but there is presently no indication that it is declining sufficiently rapidly to warrant listing in a more threatened category.

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. Vogel, G. 2012. Xenochrophis melanozostus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T191986A2024217
  2. Somaweera, R. 2017. A Naturalist’s Guide To The Reptiles and Amphibians of Bali. John Beaufoy Publishing, Oxford, England.