''Xenochrophis bellulus'', the Burmese keelback water snake or Burmese white-barred keelback , is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

of water snake described by Stoliczka in 1871. It is known only from three examples collected in

Myanmar Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...

, including a recent specimen from 2010.

Description

The Burmese keelback water snake is relatively small in size, and grow to a maximal length of between 4 and 6 centimetres. The body is elongated with a moderately long tail, and is covered by keeled scales on the dorsal section.

Distribution and habitat

The species is endemic to

, and is believed to have an extensive habitat extending across the interior of the country. The snake has been known to frequent wetlands and freshwater streams surrounding the

Irrawaddy River The Irrawaddy River (, , Ayeyarwady) is the principal river of Myanmar, running through the centre of the country. Myanmar’s most important commercial waterway, it is about 1,350 miles (2,170 km) long. Originating from the confluence of the ...

floodplain, designating it as both

terrestrial Terrestrial refers to things related to land or the planet Earth, as opposed to extraterrestrial. Terrestrial may also refer to: * Terrestrial animal, an animal that lives on land opposed to living in water, or sometimes an animal that lives on o ...

and

aquatic Aquatic means relating to water; living in or near water or taking place in water; does not include groundwater, as "aquatic" implies an environment where plants and animals live. Aquatic(s) may also refer to: * Aquatic animal, either vertebrate ...

, and is therefore believed to be extant at a low altitude.

Behaviour

Due to status as a water snake, it is believed to be semi-aquatic, inhabiting both wetlands and river systems. The species is believed to be non-venomous, but due to a lack of encounters this has not been confirmed by herpetologists to date. If this hypothesis is proved correct, it is likely the bite of the snake would only cause mild swelling and localised pain.

Population

At present, the population of the species is unclear due to the wide range of their habitat, and size and trends are currently unable to be determined. However, the snake is known to be rare, as only a single specimen was discovered in 2010 during a twelve-year survey in

Threats

The area surrounding the

has undergone intensive deforestation and land conversion for cultivation and agriculture. The extent of the impact upon the species, if any, remains unknown despite the continuance of the changing nature of the landscape.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3570877 Reptiles described in 1871 Taxa named by Ferdinand Stoliczka Reptiles of Myanmar Xenochrophis