Keelbacks – The Nasty Ones

A bite from a checkered Keelback can be a nasty wound that simply doesn’t seem to be at a loss of blood! Though completely non-venomous, checkered Keelbacks are feared by rescuers for their “giving-a-fight” attitude and ofcourse the painful jabs!

Checkered Keelback (Xenochrophis piscator)

Keelbacks are most commonly seen during the rainy season, after the monsoons and until the start of the November winters. In Odisha, we have mainly three types of Keelbacks – checkered (Xenochrophis piscator), buff-striped (Amphiesma stolatum) and Green Keelback (Macropisthodon plumbicolor). The species show striking contrasts in their characters. As mentioned earlier, a checkered is one of the most feared reptiles by rescuers. Buff striped and green Keelback on the other hand can qualify to be the most docile of snakes! Depending upon the exact behavior of the specimen, the way of handing each differs. Another rarely seen Keelback in Odisha is the Red-necked Keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus). Specimens have only been witnessed in the Shimlipal Tiger Reserve.

Checkered Keelbacks

In the rainy months, Checkered Keelbacks find their way into houses and offices through sewage pipes and drain holes chasing rodents and other marsupials. At other times, their activity is quite restricted to open marsh fields, ponds, rivers, lakes and other places where there is a constant presence of water. The main diet of checkered Keelbacks are fishes but in the rainy season, they are disturbed out of the increasing activity in the ponds and other overflowing water bodies and resort to chasing toads and other small preys.

Behavior

Checkered Keelbacks will readily attack and try to dig in their teeth on your flesh. Depending upon the location that you find a snake hiding itself, it can be quite tricky to handle and bag it. Both juvenile and adult snakes in this category showcase the same behavior. However, adults are less risky to handle because of their length. While juvenile ones will be able to easily turn their necks and find your hands, it takes an adult to make a considerable turn to reach your hands or legs. Some adult Checkered Keelbacks might also surprise you by springing up using their rear length!

Rescue technique

It is always preferable to keep a safe distance from checkered Keelbacks when they have already been cornered and show signs of threat. For smaller ones, an easy way of restraining is using a plastic container (bottles don’t qualify) with a bigger opening and putting it upside down on its head. Press just enough to stop it from slipping out but not too hard to break its spine. For bigger ones (those that cannot be comfortably contained in a Horlicks jar), use a bagger and try guiding it into it. If you don’t see it working (as is mostly the case), you may go for the neck by placing your tong/hook securely over it and shifting the grip to your fingers. Bag it immediately.

Buff-striped Keelback (Amphiesma stolatum)

Green Keelback (Macropisthodon plumbicolor)

Buff striped / Green Keelbacks

These are very gentle reptiles and can be lifted up comfortable using bare hands. However, as with humans, some individual specimen might choose to be more aggressive. Consequently, it would be advisable to rescuers to gauge the behavior of the snake before lifting it up.

Red Necked Keelbacks

I personally don’t have any experience handling a Red Necked Keelbacks, but they differentiate themselves by being a venomous member of the largely safe Keelback family of snakes. On being threatened, they will raise a slight hood and a bite will result in toxic saliva entering your bloodstream. If you happen to encounter one, keep a safe distance and use your bagger to the cause. These snakes will be the venomous family members of the checkered Keelbacks – aggressive and potent!

Important notes:

1. Don’t go for a head catch directly
2. Try not to touch the snakes to be able to bag it.
3. Checkered Keelbacks are foul smelling
4. There is no competence in getting bitten
5. Try releasing in the immediate locality
6. However close you release, try doing it near a water body
7. Wash your hands well