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Rhabdophis subminiatus
Basic stats
Venom
Venomous (rear-fanged; bites have caused serious, occasionally fatal envenoming)
Diet
Frogs, toads
Habitat
Forest, forest edge, near water
Range
Borneo, South and Southeast Asia
Clutch size
6–14 eggs (typical for Rhabdophis)
Incubation period
About 60–80 days (typical for Rhabdophis)
Size
Medium (up to 1m)
Weight
~80–150g
A keelback that looks unthreatening but is one of the more medically significant 'mildly venomous' colubrids in the region — Rhabdophis subminiatus has caused serious, occasionally fatal envenomation in documented cases, unusual for a rear-fanged snake generally assumed harmless.
Feeds heavily on frogs and toads, also sequestering toxins from toad prey into neck glands for additional defence. Given documented serious bites, this species should not be handled under any circumstances despite its common, unassuming appearance.
