Hi all - another snake ID request here. I have looked through some of the other ID threads, and got a clue that this might be a keelback. Can anyone confirm or correct that? It is about 50cm. We have two small dogs: is this snake harmless or dangerous to us and the dogs? It appears quite often in the garden, can I ignore it? Thanks for any info!

Hi all - another snake ID request here. I have looked through some of the other ID threads, and got a clue that this might be a keelback. Can anyone confirm or correct that? It is about 50cm. We have two small dogs: is this snake harmless or dangerous to us and the dogs? It appears quite often in the garden, can I ignore it? Thanks for any info!

picture refused to download for me to look at.

picture refused to download for me to look at.

No luck downloading for me either. There have been a number of other snake topics that have pictures of Keelbacks. Maybe that will help.

Maybe you need to get in closer to take the photo

Try re-sizing your picture (smaller pixels, about 640 x 480) and try downloading again.

Thanks - trying again...

I tried not to do anything stupid, but when I approached it with a stick, it defended its ground. I read the keelbacks are harmless but can be aggressive. Had a look at some of the other pics, but couldn't be certain.

>>> Edit: Still no luck attaching the image properly... you can also see it here.

Edited August 6, 200916 yr by scifi

Still no pic. Don't be messing with snakes with a stick. I was bitten yesterday, it does not take long.

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Thanks Chinavet, good common sense advice, of course. Hope the bite wasn't dangerous. I can't seem to fix the pic and the snake has gone, so I will leave it at that. Sent the pic to my wife at work. She called to say "what did you do with it when you caught it?" She has a higher opinion of my abilities than I do.

This is a Keelback. It doesn't look a lot unlike some cobras that are not alarmed.

This is a copper back racer...

Neither is venomous, but all snakes should be handled with care. Even non-venomous ones can give a nasty bite.

The picture isnt that clear but it does look like a species of banded Crate. The snake in the picture has the black rings but the colour to the body is different from the variety of Banded Crates I get on my land. What ever it is be very careful , Crates are deadly if the bite from one is not treated ASAP. A man died in Myanmar after being bitten - 30 minutes later .

Thanks for all the info. The thing that makes me doubt that it is a keelback is that they seem to prefer wet environments? No water in our garden, but there are loads of toads, so maybe they attracted it (for food). I am concerned that it might be a crate/krait but I agree the colour is not right for a banded krait. Sorry I can't get the pic to work - there is a better version at the end of this link: photo on flickr

I am now wondering if it is some kind of reed snake, which are burrowing snakes, apparently. This one disappeared down a hole, and did so on the previous occasions I saw it.

Thanks Chinavet, good common sense advice, of course. Hope the bite wasn't dangerous. I can't seem to fix the pic and the snake has gone, so I will leave it at that. Sent the pic to my wife at work. She called to say "what did you do with it when you caught it?" She has a higher opinion of my abilities than I do.

Either it was non-venomous or a dry strike, fortunately. My snake is gone too ...hope he stays gone. My foot went thru the top of his 'cave' while I was cutting weeds, about knee deep. Pulled my leg out with about 1.5m snake attached. He took off and I was bit slow focusing on the ID job at the time. That could have been a big mistake. I like snakes, but the next one that bites me, meets the weed cutter.

Thanks Chinavet, good common sense advice, of course. Hope the bite wasn't dangerous. I can't seem to fix the pic and the snake has gone, so I will leave it at that. Sent the pic to my wife at work. She called to say "what did you do with it when you caught it?" She has a higher opinion of my abilities than I do.

Either it was non-venomous or a dry strike, fortunately. My snake is gone too ...hope he stays gone. My foot went thru the top of his 'cave' while I was cutting weeds, about knee deep. Pulled my leg out with about 1.5m snake attached. He took off and I was bit slow focusing on the ID job at the time. That could have been a big mistake. I like snakes, but the next one that bites me, meets the weed cutter.

Yikes! That would be a bit spooky. The only time I was bitten was from a Tigersnake in Tasmania. Fortunately, I was wearing waders and thick socks at the time and the fangs just barely scratched the skin on my instep. I had an itchy rash but not much more. I was stepping past a log and didn't even have time to be frightened. The snake just struck me and was gone.

Wow, that was a close shave Chinavet. I've got a lot of holes in the garden that the rain washes out. Think I will get them all filled in. Thanks also for the pictures Ian - useful to know what is what.

to the OP.... did you bring the snake inside? where was it when this pic was taken?

Thanks - trying again...

I tried not to do anything stupid, but when I approached it with a stick, it defended its ground. I read the keelbacks are harmless but can be aggressive. Had a look at some of the other pics, but couldn't be certain.

>>> Edit: Still no luck attaching the image properly... you can also see it here.

Here is a chequered keelback ~~ it's a non venomous wanna be Cobra, aggressive but thats all. After getting it off my property it was back next day, so now it's live and let live!

TBWG

to the OP.... did you bring the snake inside? where was it when this pic was taken?

Not inside, this shot was taken on the porch at the side of the house. Our dogs like to sit there as it gets a good breeze. I heard the dogs going bananas and came out to see this chap sitting there, didn't seem to be bothered by all the yapping. I had seen a snake about this size in the garden before. I figured this was the same one and just wanted it to go back to where it lived. I moved a (long) stick towards it - dumb, I know, but it wasn't budging - it had a go at the stick a couple of times, then headed off the porch and eventually back into its hole by the drain.

Great pic TBWG - really shows where the name comes from. I'd be happy to live with a snake in the garden if I knew it wasn't venomous and it stayed out of our way. And if it kept the toads down, then it would be welcome. If they eat toads, that is.

Thinking about the dogs barking not scaring the snake - snakes are deaf, aren't they, or did I make that up?