Asiatic water snake
The checkered keelback (Fowlea piscator ), also known commonly as the Asiatic water snake, is a common species in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia. It is non-venomous.
The Checkered keelback is a medium-sized nonvenomous snake native to Asia. Its coloration is very variable; it consists of dark spots arranged quincuncially and often separated by a whitish network, or of black longitudinal bands on a pale ground, or of dark crossbands, with or without whitish spots. Two oblique black streaks, one below and the other behind the eye, are nearly constant. The lower parts are white, with or without black margins to the shields.
Checkered keelbacks are found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, West Malaysia, China (Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan), Taiwan, and Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi). These snakes live in or near freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, and marshes.
Checkered keelbacks are semi-aquatic and rarely venture far from water. They lead a solitary life and are active both during the day and at night. These snakes may be quite aggressive. Often they try to raise their head as much as possible and expand their neck skin mimicking a cobra hood and intimidate the threat. If they can't escape from a threat they will readily strike and bite fiercely. They may also lose their tail as an escape mechanism.
Checkered keelbacks are carnivores (piscivores) and feed mainly on small fish and water frogs. Their diet may also include mice, lizards, birds, insects, and even small snakes.
Checkered keelbacks are oviparous which means that they lay their eggs. Clutch size is usually 30-70 eggs, but may be as few as 4 or as many as 100. Eggs size vary in size and each egg may be 1.5-4.0 cm (0.59-1.57 in) long. Females guard their eggs until they hatch. Each hatchling measures about 11 cm (4.3 in) in total length.
These highly adaptable snakes don't face any major threats at present.
Presently, the Checkered keelback is not included in the IUCN Red List and its conservation status has not been evaluated.
