Kingdom Animalia Order Squamata Family Colubridae Scientific name Amphiesma parallelum Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Suborder Serpentes Genus Amphiesma Higher classification Amphiesma | |
Similar Amphiesma, Snake, Colubridae, Amphiesma xenura, Reptile | ||
Amphiesma parallelum, commonly known as the Yunnan keelback, is a species of natricine snake which is endemic to Asia.
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Geographic range
It is found in India, primarily in the Indian states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. It is also found in southern China (Yunnan province), Myanmar, Nepal, Tibet, and Vietnam.
Description
Dorsally A. parallelum is brown with two parallel yellowish, black-edged stripes on the body and tail. The ventrals and subcaudals are uniform yellow, or with a black dot on each side. There is a black streak from the eye to the corner of the mouth, and the labials are yellow.
It may have one, two, or three preocular scales, and has three postoculars. There are seven or eight upper labials (usually eight), with the third, fourth, and fifth entering the eye. The temporals may be 1 + 1, 1 + 2, or 2 + 2.
Strongly keeled dorsal scales arranged in 19 rows at midbody. Ventrals 163-175; anal plate divided; subcaudals 73-95, also divided.
Adults may attain 56 cm (22 inches) in total length with a tail of 14 cm (5½ inches).