There are 200 different snake species in Thailand, on Thailandblog we describe a number of species. Today the Red Neck Keel (Rhabdophis subminiatus) or in English the Red Neck Keelback, a venomous snake from the Colubridae family.
The Red-necked Smock (Rhabdophis subminiatus) is a species of snake that belongs to the family of the whip snakes (Colubridae). This snake is found in various parts of Southeast Asia, such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The Red-necked Smock is also called the "Red-necked Collar" or "Red-necked-throated snake" because of the characteristic red or orange color around the neck.
The Red-necked smock has an average length of about 60 to 100 centimeters, although some specimens can grow longer. The color of the body varies from olive green to brown with black spots, while the ventral side is usually yellow or white. The distinctive red or orange neck band makes this snake easy to spot.
The red-necked smock is a striking feature within the wrath snake family because this snake is venomous. Most species in this family are harmless, but the Red-necked Smock possesses poisonous glands at the back of its jaws.
These snakes are mainly diurnal and hunt a variety of prey, such as frogs, lizards and small mammals. They are also good swimmers and are often found near water sources, such as rivers and swamps. The Red-necked Keel is oviparous, usually laying 5 to 12 eggs at a time. The eggs are usually laid near water, under moist leaves or in burrows.
The Red-necked Keel is found in a wide variety of habitats, such as forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and wooded hills. However, the distribution and numbers of these snakes have declined due to habitat loss from deforestation and human activities. While the Red-necked Smock is not currently considered an endangered species, it is important to ensure the conservation of their habitats to ensure their long-term survival.
Previously it was thought that this snake species was hardly venomous to humans, but this has been investigated again after a fatal incident and a number of serious bite incidents.
In the upper jaw is a gland known as Duvernoy's gland, which produces an extremely poisonous secretion. When the snake bites, the saliva-venom mixture is not injected, but flows into the wound produced by the back teeth of the upper jaw, which can penetrate the skin of humans. The venom of R. subminiatus is responsible for internal bleeding, including cerebral hemorrhage, as well as nausea, coagulopathy, and even disseminated intravascular coagulation. In animals, the poison causes kidney failure. Although most bites in humans by R. subminiatus occur on the front teeth and do not cause any ill effects, rare bites from the back teeth can be fatal.
Specifics and features of the
- Name in Thai: งูลายสาบคอแดง, ngu lai saap khor daeng
- Name in English: Red-necked keelback
- Scientific name: Rhabdophis subminiatus, Hermann Schlegel, 1837
- Is found in:Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, West Malaysia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, China and Hong Kong.
- Habitat: At water features such as ponds
- Nutrition: Frogs and fish
- Toxic to humans: Yes, the R. subminiatus has two enlarged teeth in the back of the jaw, if you are bitten with them, venom will enter the wound. In fact, in the upper jaw is a gland known as Duvernoy's glands that produces an extremely poisonous secretion.