Opisthotropis maxwelli
Opisthotropis maxwelli, also known commonly as Maxwell's mountain keelback, is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to China.
Etymology
The specific name, maxwelli, is in honour of British Presbyterian missionary John Preston Maxwell, who also was a physician working in China, and who presented the holotype to the British Museum (Natural History).
Description
Opisthotropis maxwelli may attain a total length of. The tail is rather long, comprising 20–23% of the total length. The dorsal scales are keeled, more strongly so on the posterior of the body, and arranged in 17 rows throughout the length of the body. Dorsally, it is dark olive; ventrally, it is yellow.
Opisthotropis maxwelli is found in southeastern China, in the provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, and Jiangxi, and the autonomous region of Guangxi.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Opisthotropis maxwelli is streams, at high altitudes.
Behavior
Opisthotropis maxwelli is aquatic and nocturnal. It shelters under rocks.
Diet
Opisthotropis maxwelli preys predominately upon aquatic segmented worms, and also freshwater shrimp, fishes, frogs and their tadpoles.
Reproduction
Opisthotropis maxwelli is oviparous.