Trimerodytes percarinatus, commonly known as the eastern water snake,[3]olive keelback,[3]olive annulate keelback[3] or Chinese keelback water snake,[1] is a species of snake[3] in the subfamilyNatricinae.
The subspeciesTrimerodytes percarinatus suriki is endemic to Taiwan[3] where it occurs in the whole country.[4]
Description
T. percarinatus is a defensive snake that bites readily when caught, but it is not venomous.[4][5] It is a medium-sized snake, typically attaining a total length (including tail) of 70–90 cm (28–35 in), but may grow up to 110 cm (43 in).[5] An adult female usually lays 4 to 13 eggs,[1] but may lay as many as 25 eggs.[4]
Distribution and habitat
T. percarinatus is found in NE India (Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh), Myanmar (= Burma), Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, S China (Hainan, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hubei), Hong Kong, and Taiwan.[1][3] It is an aquatic species associated with hilly areas.[1][5]
Diet
T. percarinatuspreys on shrimps, frogs (including tadpoles), and fish.[4]
^Boulenger GA (1899). "On a Collection of Reptiles and Batrachians made by Mr. J. D. La Touche in N.W. Fokien, China". Proc. Zool. Soc. London1899: 159-172. (Tropidonotus percarinatus, new species, pp. 163-164 + Plate XVII, figure 2).
Smith MA (1943). The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, Including the Whole of the Indo-Chinese Sub-region. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. III.—Serpentes. London: Secretary of State for India. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 583 pp. (Natrix percarinata, p. 299).
