Xenochrophis piscator (Checkered Keelback) Punjab

Xenochrophis piscator

Distinguishing Features

i. This specie possesses great variation in colour and pattern, depending on its habitat.
ii. The body is cylindrical, thick and tapering.
iii.The head is slightly flattened and is distinct from the neck.
iv. The dorsal colour is olive green, graygrey or light reddish and the belly is white or cream in colour.
v. The snout is blunt and pointed.
vi.The eyes are medium in size with round pupil.
vii.The ventral surface is covered with smooth scales.
viii.The median part possesses keeled scales.
ix.The number of scales on the upper labial varies from 8 - 10. The 4^th and 5^th scales touch the eye.
x.The number of scales on the lower labial varies from 9 - 10.
xi.They possess five rows of small blackish bars. On the anterior surface these bars form reticulum, which gradually diminish and become very light on the posterior side. In some species these bars are often fused.
xii.Two dark and narrow strips are present, which emerge from below and behind the eyes respectively and end at the edge of the lips.
xiii.Small black marks can be seen on the anterolateral tip of the ventral side of the body.

Size

Its length varies from 815 - 1195 mm.

Habit and Habitat

They prefer aquatic habitat and are found in large marshy area with dense aquatic vegetation, ditches, ponds and lakes. Though nocturnal in habit, but in winter they go into partial hibernation and become diurnal, in order to enjoy the warmth of the sun.

Food

They feed on frogs and fishes.

Distribution

The range of this specie extends from Borneo and Western part of Thailand across the main land and islands of South Asia to the Indus drainage. Though specimens are reported from Punjab, Balochistan and N.W.F.P but mainly found in the Indus valley .

Breeding

Economic Importance

The skin of this specie is of great commercial value because of their its large size and beautiful markings on skintheir skin is of great commercial value and . It is used in the making of shoes, purses, belts and decorative pieces. Locally, their fat is used to prepare oil and medicines for muscle strengthening.

Status

Common