Fun Checkered Keelback Facts For Kids

Asia is a continent where you can find some of the most extraordinary types of snakes like the Indian rock python, water-bellied blind snake, red-tailed pipe snake, and many more. The checkered keelback is also an endemic Asian snake as its name suggests it has a checkered appearance. The checkered keelback snake belongs to the Colubrid family that consists of mostly non-venomous snakes and it is one of them. The checkered keelback has different names assigned to it based on the local region where it can be found but it is also popularly identified as an Asiatic water snake. This water snake is particularly found in the Indian subcontinent and neighboring countries too. They are extremely adaptable to the rural as well as urban areas and can be spotted near human settlements. The checkered keelback is predominantly medium in size but these snakes tend to grow large but as they are non-venomous they do not possess much harm. The species is oviparous and has two identified subspecies F. p. melanzostus and F. p. piscator and documented by Gravenhost, 1807 and Schneider, 1799 respectively.

Intrigued already? Want to learn more about the checkered keelback? Then keep reading this article as more interesting facts are stated below. If you like this article then check our other articles like Anaconda Snake and Scarlet Snake and share the pieces of information with everyone.

What type of animal is a checkered keelback?

The checkered keelback is a non-venomous snake species which is also referred to as the Asiatic water snake. The binominal name of this species is Fowlea piscator but there are many synonyms including Xenochrophis piscator, Tropidonotus piscator, Nerodia piscator, Hydrus piscator, Tropidonotus quincunciatus, Natrix piscator.

What class of animal does a checkered keelback belong to?

The checkered keelback (Fowlea piscator) belongs to the class of Reptilia, of family Colubridae, subfamily Natricinae that mostly comprises of common snakes. The checkered keelback has two subspecies F. p. melanzostus and F. p. piscator.

How many checkered keelbacks are there in the world?

The checkered keelbacks are common snakes that are extremely widespread in India particularly. However, the exact number of checkered keelbacks present in the world is not documented. There are various threats that these snakes encounter on daily basis such as roadkill, humans killing them intentionally, water pollution and frequently they get caught in a fishing net.

Where does a checkered keelback live? 

The checkered keelback (Fowlea piscator) or Xenochrophis piscator has a large distribution range. These snakes lack venom and therefore do not cause much harm even if they are near human settlements. The geographical distribution range includes India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, West Malaysia, Vietnam, and provinces of China including Yunan, Guangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hainan, Jiangxi. In Indonesia, they can be found near Sumatra, Java, Borneo. Besides, Asia, they can also be found in Australia. The subspecies of this snake F. p. melanzostus can be observed in India precisely in Andaman and Nicobar while its other subspecies F. p. piscator is an inhabitant of Sumatra, Java, Borneo in Indonesia.

What is a checkered keelback's habitat? 

The checkered keelback snake primarily resides in water as it is a semi-aquatic snake. These snakes are very common in India, particularly near human settlements. The ideal habitat of this snake is freshwater ponds, lakes, rivers, irrigation tanks, wells. In rural areas where there are abundant rice fields, the Xenochrophis piscator is typically observed. Even in urban regions, they dwell near gardens or wet places. These snakes attempt to conceal themselves under aquatic plants, or aquatic vegetation. They are non-migrant and are rarely seen far away from water. The checkered keelbacks are active both during night and day.

Who do checkered keelbacks live with?

The checkered keelback snake or Xenochrophis piscator is a solitary species. However, during the mating season, it may search for a partner.

How long does a checkered keelback live?

The average lifespan of a checkered keelback snake (Xenochrophis piscator) is not listed. Nevertheless, their lifespan can be affected by various circumstances including killing, water pollution, and fishing.

How do they reproduce?

Not much has been documented regarding their reproduction. Nevertheless, the checkered keelback is mostly solitary but during the breeding season, their behavior may change. The method of reproduction is copulation and the checkered keelback is oviparous and lays several eggs.

What is their conservation status?

The checkered keelback, (Schneider 1799) is extensively seen in India, Thailand, Indonesia, other South Asian countries as well as in Australia. But the conservation status of this species is not listed by the IUCN.

What do checkered keelbacks look like?

The size, pattern, and color of a checkered keelback may differ according to its habitat and distribution range. The body length of this species is approximately 5.7 ft (1.75 m) and the color may be yellow, brown, or green. It is a rear-fanged species and the dark spots are organized in a quincunx pattern. These dark spots are segregated by the lengthwise bands of pale ground or a whitish structure. The lower parts of this snake are white and two slanted black streaks are present beneath and behind their eyes respectively.

How cute are they?

The checkered keelback bites and can get aggressive although they fit in the group of non-venomous snakes yet they are not cute.

How do they communicate?

This is a solitary species, but there is no adequate data regarding their communication skills.

How big is a checkered keelback? 

The checkered keelback is medium-sized yellow, brown, or green but it can grow as long as 5.7 ft (1.75 m). It is half the size of a king cobra that has an average length of 10-12 ft (3-3.6 m).

How fast can a checkered keelback move?

The checkered keelback is an active species and can move rapidly, however, there is not sufficient data regarding its weight.

How much does a checkered keelback weigh?

The weight of the checkered keelback (Schneider 1799) is not listed.

What are the male and female names of the species?

There are no distinct names assigned to the male and female species.

What would you call a baby checkered keelback?

The baby snakes are referred to as snakelets. However, the exact term for the baby of checkered keelback snake is not listed. The Xenochrophis piscator is oviparous and can lay an extensive amount of eggs as many as 70-100 eggs. The diet of minors comprises tadpoles, small frogs, and insects.

What do they eat? 

The checkered keelback primarily lives in ponds, lakes, rivers, other water bodies, and wet places therefore a large part of their diet consists of aquatic creatures within the water and around their habitat. Frogs, small fishes, rodents, lizards, insects, and small snakes are an integral part of their diet. Checkered keelback can also be seen preying on Malabar swamp eel.

Are they poisonous?

No, the checkered keelback is considered under the non-venomous group.

Would they make a good pet?

No, the checkered keelback cannot be a good pet even though it belongs to the group of non-venomous species. These snakes are widely found in India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other regions but they are not kept in homes. The behavior of this snake is aggressive and it may bite if threatened.

Did you know...

The checkered keelback snake or Xenochrophis piscator has an extraordinary defense mechanism as these snakes are aggressive they may react very quickly. The checkered keelback would expand the skin of its neck and lift its head as much as possible to frighten its threat. This is common in cobras but this behavior can be observed in checkered keelback too.

The checkered keelback is capable of autonomy, which implies the Xenochrophis piscator can self amputate its tail as a form of escape mechanism.

How did checkered keelbacks get their name?

The checkered keelback size can range between medium-large. These snakes have distinct physical characteristics particularly the checkered keelback scales are rostral. The upper scales of this species are keeled, these keeled scales are organized in 19 rows. The body color of this species may vary as they can range between brown, yellow, and green. They have dark spots that are separated by the bands of pale ground while their lower parts are white. The checkered pattern and keeled scales that cover their body is the reason why they got their name. Besides this name, they are also called Asiatic water snakes.

Are checkered keelbacks endangered?

The checkered keelback snake (Xenochrophis piscator) or Fowlea piscator is widely found all over India. Besides India, it can be seen in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, and many more. Although this species is widespread yet their conservation status is not yet confirmed by International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles from our Rubber Boa facts and Vine Snake facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable checkered keelback coloring pages.

Main image by Charles J. Sharp

Second image by Dr. Raju Kasambe