Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There are no snake guides for Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. It's right near the border of Laos, found in ankle-high grass on a wet night near a frog pond. Can someone point me in the right direction for this little guy? I'm not enough of a snake person to know what it could be. Additional photos can be viewed at

http://www.amphibiancare.com/online_images/china_2009/snake02.jpg
http://www.amphibiancare.com/online_images/china_2009/snake03.jpg
http://www.amphibiancare.com/online_images/china_2009/snake04.jpg

Thanks in advance,

I would say genus Rhadinaea, though what species I'm not sure. These snakes LOVE frogs, which would explain the habitat you found him in. Careful with these guys, they have a medically significant bite. Hope this helps.
Mike Collalto

>>I would say genus Rhadinaea,

I think you mean the genus Rhabdophis, not Rhadinaea. Rhadinaea is a genus of harmless colubrids from North/Central America. Rhabdophis is the genus of putatively dangerous colubrids from Asia.

This looks very much like a Rhabdophis to me as well. I would be careful handling this snake as some species are known to have "medically significant" bites.

Chris
-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

I agree. One of the keelback species. Some have proven to have painful/dangerous bites. ~~Greg~~

Thanks guys. That would make sense, we see adult keelbacks at least once a week here, I just didn't realize they looked so cool as juveniles. appreciate the help,

>>I agree. One of the keelback species. Some have proven to have painful/dangerous bites. ~~Greg~~

Thanks for the correction guys,what was I thinking??! I don't think there have been, or ever will be any deaths attributed to the genus Rhadinaea! LOL