The Sabah keelback (Hebius flavifrons) is a nonvenomous colubrid endemic to Borneo.[1][2]

Sabah keelback
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Hebius
Species:
H. flavifrons
Binomial name
Hebius flavifrons
(Boulenger, 1887)
Synonyms
  • Tropidonotus flavifrons
    Boulenger, 1887
  • Natrix flavifrons Dunn, 1923
  • Amphiesma flavifrons
    – Manthey & Grossmann, 1997[2]

Description

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Adults are about 54 cm (21 inches) in total length, of which about 18 cm (7 inches) is tail.[3] Body slender; midbody scales 19, keeled; ventrals 149–157; subcaudals 92–101; dorsum olive-grey, with darker markings; a distinctive white to yellowish-cream spot on snout.

Habitat and behavior

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It is frequently encountered in rivers in the plains and midhills, seen swimming with its head held out of water.[4]

Diet

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Its diet includes frog eggs, tadpoles and frogs.[4]

Reproduction

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Nothing is known about its reproductive biology.[4]

Geographic range

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It is endemic to Borneo. It has been found in Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Inger, R.F.; Iskandar, D.; Das, I. (2016). "Hebius flavifrons". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T176333A96294516. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T176333A96294516.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Hebius flavifrons at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 7 September 2014.
  3. ^ Boulenger, G.A. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families...Colubridæ Aglyphæ, Part. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I.-XXVIII. (Tropidonotus flavifrons, p. 263.)
  4. ^ a b c d Das, I. 2006. A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Borneo. Ralph Curtis Books. Sanibel Island, Florida. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-061-1. (Amphiesma flavifrons, p. 19.)