Striped keelback
The striped keelback, Xenochrophis vittatus, is a species of snake found mainly in Indonesia (Bangka, Java, Sumatra, We, Sulawesi) and Singapore (introduced).
| Striped keelback | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Xenochrophis vittatus from Central Java | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Xenochrophis |
| Species: | X. vittatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Xenochrophis vittatus | |
Ecology
This diurnal snake is found in rice paddies, ponds, small ditches, and sometimes suburban backyards and home gardens. The striped keelback is rear-fanged and mildly venomous, and is considered harmless; it typically feeds on amphibians, fish, and small lizards.
In captivity
In central Java, it is also not uncommon for striped keelbacks to be kept by children as pets. It has a reputation for being very mild-mannered and rarely bites. In the United States, wild-caught striped keelbacks are frequently imported and sold as "garter snakes", typically "Canadian garter snakes" or "Indonesian garter snakes", but they are not related to Thamnophis.