Hebius parallelus


The Yunnan keelback is a species of natricine snake which is endemic to Asia.

Geographic range

It is found in Bhutan, China, Northeast India and Myanmar.

Description

Dorsally, it is brown with two parallel yellowish, black-edged stripes on the body and tail. The ventrals and subcaudals are uniform yellow, or with a black dot on each side. There is a black streak from the eye to the corner of the mouth, and the labials are yellow.
It may have one, two, or three preocular scales, and has three postoculars. There are seven or eight upper labials, with the third, fourth, and fifth entering the eye. The temporals may be 1 + 1, 1 + 2, or 2 + 2.
Strongly keeled dorsal scales arranged in 19 rows at midbody. Ventrals 163–175; anal plate divided; subcaudals 73–95, also divided.
Adults may attain 56 cm in total length with a tail of 14 cm.