(Right now the "Previous" and "Next" doesn't maintain serial. We're working to getting it fixed,)
Scientific Name: Xenochrophis cerasogaster (Cantor, 1839)
English Name: Painted Keelback
Local/Bangla Name: Kalo Mete Dora Shap (কালো মেটে ঢোড়া সাপ), Kalo-pet Dhora Shap (কালো পেট ঢোড়া সাপ)
Photo: Avrajjal (iNaturalist)
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Colubridae
Description:
The body is stout, featuring keeled scales on the top and smooth ones on the side rows. The dorsal coloration tends to be reddish-brown on the anterior half, transitioning to blackish-brown with a red tinge on the posterior half. Two light brown streaks run parallel, appearing faint or invisible on the anterior end but becoming prominently visible on the posterior end. The belly has a marbled luster, with reddish-black markings adorned with whitish patches that become faint or invisible towards the posterior belly.
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
It is found in a wide range of habitats including mixed evergreen forests, ponds, lakes, streams and marshy areas. It has been observed in mixed evergreen forests in the northeast and southeast regions, as well as in wetlands throughout Bangladesh.
Environment:
Freshwater, terrestrial.
Comments:
It is a semi-aquatic species and its diet primarily consisting of frogs and fish.
Main References:
Kabir SMH, Ahmad M, Ahmed ATA, Rahman AKA, Ahmed ZU, Begum, ZNT, Hassan MΑ, and Khondker M (2009) Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol. 25. Amphibians and Reptiles. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka 204 pp
Other References:
Rahman ANMA (2015) Wildlife of Bangladesh, Department of Films & Publications, Ministry of Information, Dhaka, Bangladesh
DNA Barcodes from Bangladesh
GenBank Accession Number:
Other DNA Barcodes & Nucleutide Sequences
Global IUCN conservation status:
BD IUCN conservation status:
Other Information
