A beautiful snake, usually under 1 meter, not very aggressive.
Rhabdophis subminiatus (Red-Necked Keelback Snake)
Thai: (ngoo lay sab ko dang)
Length: Up to 130 cm (1.3 meters). Usually smaller than 1 meter.
Range: Thailand and southeast Asia.
Notes: These snakes are commonly found near water, lakes, ponds, and in gardens. Recently a friend had one in his swimming pool in Krabi town, southern Thailand.
Active Time? Day
Food: Frogs and fish
Defensive Behavior: Spread out their neck slightly to make themselves appear bigger. Not as dramatic as a cobra. Lift their head and neck off the ground 4-5 inches.
Venom Toxicity: LD50 is 1.29 mg/kg for intravenous injection (source). That is about the same rating as the very deadly “Banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus)”. It was previously thought these snakes were harmless. Some kept them as pets and were bitten. In one case the snake was left to bite for 2 minutes before removing it from a finger. Serious complications resulted requiring hospitalization and intensive care. Click for article. These snakes are rear-fanged and need to bite and hold on, or, repeatedly bite to have any effect on humans. Once they do either – there is the possibility of severe problems including renal failure and death. Recently a small boy of 12 years old was bitten by one in Phuket, Thailand and he is currently being treated (11/5/10). Be very careful not be be bitten by these snakes. There is NO ANTI-VENIN available yet for these snakes.
Another study in Japan ranked the venom as having an LD50 of 1.25 mg/kg for intravenous injection. (Japan Snake Institute, Hon-machi, Yabuzuka, Nitta-gun, Gunma-ken, Japan) V.1- 1969- Volume(issue)
Update: The 12 year old boy bitten by the Rhabdophis subminiatus was treated for 2 weeks of intensive care, and released. He was bitten multiple times, the 2nd bite lasting over 20 seconds.
Offspring: I have a baby red-neck keelback at the moment but I got it after the fact – found in the wild. Will find more info to put here.
Red Neck Keelback Snake video – This is another red-necked keelback (adult) that I had for a while. I’ve since let it go back into the wild.
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Rhabdophis
Species: Rhabdophis subminiatus
Red Necked Keelback video
Related posts:
- Red Necked Keelback Caught on a Night Herping Trip
- Snake Bite – Red-Necked Keelback – Rhabdophis subminiatus
- Yellow Spotted Keelback – Venomous – Not Dangerous
- Thailand Snake Photos – Striped Keelback
- Yellow Spotted Keelback – Thailand Snake Journal
- Oriental Whip Snake – Venomous – Not Dangerous
- Striped Bronzeback Snake – Non Venomous – Not Dangerous
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had one in the garden, not too large, about 90 cm. Very docile. I directed it away with a stick, it slowly slipped away. Fast through the grass. Nice colors.
Yes, exceptionally beautiful snakes… especially if they’re scared and show you the colors and flare up – wow. They don’t bother people at all – but so many people kill them – I see Thais do it all the time… sad to see it. But the good news is – there are PLENTY of them – they seem to be everywhere.
Found one this morning under the doormat outside my house, in Khao Lak. I have a kitten that likes to run around in the garden so it worries me a bit to know this snake is around and i’ve seen it a couple times in the garden before. Do you think cats can scare them away or they will just attack if the cat tries to play with it.
They’ll definitely avoid cats – kittens, whatever is bigger than them and that messes with them. These snakes wouldn’t bite much, they’d prefer to flee. That said, a good bite could kill your cat rather easily I’d think.
Any clue where to get anti vi=enom for these, as my son has been bitten by one and is in a bad state.
We’ve sent you a few emails now. I copied the 2 main herpetologists that I correspond with. Please read your gmail Gordon – thanks.