Smith's mountain keelback
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Opisthotropis
Species:
O. spenceri
Binomial name
Opisthotropis spenceri

Smith's mountain keelback (Opisthotropis spenceri), also known commonly as Spencer's stream snake,[2] is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Thailand.[1]

Etymology

The specific name, spenceri, is in honor of Mr. F.D. Spencer who collected the type specimen.[3]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of O. spenceri is flowing streams.[2]

Description

O. spenceri may attain a total length (including tail) of 60 cm (24 in). Dorsally, it is olive-colored. Ventrally it is yellowish white on the body, with gray mottling on the tail. It has smooth dorsal scales, which are arranged in 17 rows.[4]

Behavior

O. spenceri is aquatic and nocturnal.[2]

Diet

O. spenceri preys upon freshwater shrimp, earthworms, fishes, frogs, and tadpoles.[2]

Reproduction

O. spenceri is oviparous.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Pauwels, O.S.G.; Chan-Ard, T. (2012). "Opisthotropis spenceri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T15392A717343. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T15392A717343.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Species Opisthotropis spenceri at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  3. ↑ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Opisthotropis spenceri, pp. 249-250).
  4. ↑ 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. (Opisthotropis spenceri, p. 333).

Further reading

  • Chan-ard T, Parr JWK, Nabhitabhata J (2015). A Field Guide to the Reptiles of Thailand. New York: Oxford University Press. 352 pp. ISBN 978-0-19-973649-2 (hardcover), ISBN 978-0-19-973650-8 (paperback).
  • Chuaynkern Y, Duengkae P, Pongcharoen C, Chuaynkern C, Horsin L (2014). "Opisthotropis spenceri SMITH, 1918 (SERPENTES: NATRICIDAE): THE THIRD AND FOURTH SPECIMENS". Journal of Wildlife in Thailand 21 (1): 1–14.
  • Smith MA (1918). "Description of a New Snake (Opisthotropis spenceri) from Siam". Journal of the Natural History Society of Siam 3 (1): 13 + plate.


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