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| Amphiesma stolata (Striped Keelback) |
Amphiesma stolata
Scientific Name: Amphiesma stolata
English Name: Striped Keel back
Distinguishing Features
i. They are non-poisonous snakes.
ii. The body is cylindrical in shape and covered with keeled scales, though the lower rows of scales are not keeled.
iii. The head is very distinct from the neck. The top of the head is bluish graygrey to olive in colour.
iv. The snout is round.
v. The number of scales on the upper labial varies from 7 - 8. The 3 rd and 4 th scales touch the eye.
vi. The number of scales on the lower labial varies from 9 - 11.
vii. The dorsal ground colour is light olive brown.
iii. Pale yellow stripes are present on the scales of the middle and the posterior sides of the body. Black or dark brown spots are present between the stripes.
iv. The anterior part of the body posses spots and dashes.v. A
V shaped black mark is present on the neck.
vi. Few short black bars are present below the eye.
vii. The belly is white to cream in colour
viii. Black dots are present on the anterior part of the ventral surface. Size
Its length varies from 625 - 725mm.
Habit and Habitat
These snakes are found in damp grassland and agricultural fields. The barks of rotten trees act as their resting-places. At the time of danger, they raise their head above the surface and wave it to and fro.
Food
They feed on lizards, frogs and insects.
Distribution
They are found in Laos, Thailand, China, Bangladesh, India, Srilanka and Pakistan. In Pakistan they inhabit the Indus Valley and its main tributaries. They are very rare in lower Sindh but common in northern areas of Pakistan.
Breeding
| Mating Season: |
March - April |
| Egg Lying Season: |
May - June |
| Number of Eggs Laid: |
6-10 eggs |
Hatching Period: July - August
Economic Importance
Being small in size their skin has no economical value but they are potential food for birds.
Status
Less common
Threats
Like most of the other specie, they are also suffering from human interventions and are mostly killed by people due to lack of knowledge about the nature of the snake. | 
