Snake species on our campus

Checkered keelback & Buffstriped keelback

Checkered keelback ( Xenochrophis piscator) and Buffstriped keelback (Amphiesma stolata): the water-snakes

Both these snakes are NON-VENOMOUS, water-loving snakes. Keelbacks are so called because they have a keel (as in a boat) along the longitudinal axis of dorsal scales.

The Checkered keelback is the second most common snake on our campus according to our records. It is an active and often aggressive snake. It can be identified by the checkered pattern on
its back and the two 'kajal'-like lines near its eye. This is generally a greenish coloured snake and can grow to a maximum of 4-5 feet in length.

The Buffstriped keelback on the other hand is a shy and inoffensive snake. We have never caught or sighted this beautiful snake on campus in our two years of operation, but earlier students of CES have recorded sightings. Is this another case of local extinction? The snake is easily identified by the creamish lines that extend along the length of its body.

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