Triangle Keelback

Xenochrophis trianguligerus

🐍 Non-venomous

Description

The Red-sided Keelback (Xenochrophis trianguligerus) is a medium-sized, semi-aquatic snake commonly found in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. It typically inhabits wetlands, rice paddies, and riverbanks. The species is easily recognized by its olive-brown body with a distinctive reddish or orange stripe along each side, and keeled scales that give it a rough texture. It primarily feeds on frogs, small fish, and other aquatic animals.

Venomous?

Non-venomous. This species poses no venom threat to humans.

A Danger to Humans?

Generally non-aggressive and will flee when disturbed. It may emit a musky odor or flatten its body as a defensive display but does not pose danger to humans.

Population Size

Stable

Life Span

-

WEIGHT​

30.5 g

LENGTH

Total length 1.2 meter

Ca

Carnivore

No

Nocturnal

Se

Semiaquatic

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Reptilia

ORDER

:

Squamata

FAMILY

:

Natricidae

GENUS

:

Xenochrophis

SPECIES

:

Xenochrophis trianguligerus

Distribution

Xenochrophis trianguligerus inhabits humid rainforests in the lowlands up to an altitude of 1400 meters above sea level, often found near water such as rivers, swamps, ponds, or rice fields

Geography

Continent : Asia

Country : widely distributed in India (Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh), Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia (Sumatra, Nias, Mentawai Islands, Riau Islands, Bangka-Belitung, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and several surrounding islands), and Brunei Darussalam.

Habits and Lifestyle

These snakes wander during the day and are often found near waters such as rivers, swamps, ponds, or rice fields. Like other Natricidae species, this snake is a reliable swimmer.

Lifestyle

Semiaquatic

Biome

Rain forests

Climate Zone

Tropical

Diet and Nutrition

This species includes carnivores. Its main diet is frogs, fish and lizards.

Diet : Carnivora

Mating Habits

These snakes reproduce by laying eggs. The number of eggs produced is 5 to 8 eggs.

Reproduction session : –

Incubation periods: –

Independent age : at birth

Baby name : –

Baby carrying : 5 – 8 eggs

Population

Population status : Least Concern (LC)

NE

DD

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

EW

EX

Population threats​

There are no apparent threats to this species, as it is tolerant of and indeed thrives in human-modified environments, especially rice fields.

Population number​

This adaptable snake covers a wide geographic range and faces no major threats, and is therefore listed as Least Concern.

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. Wogan, G. & Chan-Ard, T. 2012. Xenochrophis trianguligerus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T192034A2031113
  2. Xenochrophis trianguligerus Wikipedia article
  3. Somaweera, R. 2017. A Naturalist’s Guide To The Reptiles and Amphibians of Bali. John Beaufoy Publishing, Oxford, England