Tropidonophis mairii
| Tropidonophis mairii | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Natricinae |
| Genus: | Tropidonophis |
| Species: | T. mairii |
| Binomial name | |
| Tropidonophis mairii (Gray, 1841) | |
| Synonyms | |
Tropidonophis mairii, commonly known as the common keelback, Mair's keelback,[1] the keelback, or the freshwater snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake found throughout Northern Australia.
Etymology
The specific name, mairii, is in honor of "Dr. Mair", an army surgeon with the 39th Regiment of Foot, who collected the holotype.[2]
Description
T. mairii resembles two venomous snakes, the taipan and the rough-scaled snake. T. mairii rarely grows over 1 m (39 in) in total length (including tail).
Diet
Mair's keelback feeds mainly on amphibians and small lizards. It is one of the few snakes that can eat cane toads (Rhinella marina), up to a certain size, without being harmed.
References
Further reading
- GRAY JE. 1841. "A Catalogue of the Species of Reptiles and Amphibia hitherto described as inhabiting Australia, with a description of some New Species from Western Australia, and some remarks on their geographical distribution". Appendix E, pp. 422-449. In: GREY G. 1841. Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-west and Western Australia, During the Years 1837, 38, and 39, Under the Authority of Her Majesty's Government. In Two Volumes. Vol. II. London: T. and W. Boone. 520 pp. (Tropidonotus mairii, new species, p. 442).
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