| Thermophis baileyi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Thermophis |
| Species: | T. baileyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Thermophis baileyi (Wall, 1907) | |
| Synonyms | |
Thermophis baileyi, also known commonly as Bailey's snake, the hot-spring keelback, the hot-spring snake, [3] and the Xizang hot-spring keelback, is a rare species of colubrid snake endemic to Tibet.
The specific name, baileyi, is in honor of Frederick M. Bailey, a British army officer and explorer. [4]
T. baileyi is found only at high altitudes on the Tibetan Plateau. The species is endemic to Tibet and was recorded for the first time in 1907 by Wall near Gyantze at 4,300 m (14,100 ft) above sea level (no exact coordinates available). [5] In 1990 Macey and Papenfuss reported the species from Yangbajain hot spring area. So far T. baileyi is known only from a few sites. [6] [7] [8] A comprehensive distribution map of T. baileyi was provided by Hofmann et al. (2014), showing that the geographic range of the snake is a restricted area between the Transhimalaya and the Himalaya, along the central part of the Yarlung Zhangbo suture zone. [9]
Thermophis baileyi is olive green, with five series of indistinct spots dorsally, most pronounced in the forebody. It has a dusky postocular streak, and dusky posterior edges to the labials. The belly is bluish-grey, with each ventral black basally. The young are darker than adults.
The dorsal scales are in 19 rows at midbody, all keeled except the last row, with indistinct double apical facets. The ventrals number 201–221. The anal is divided. The subcaudals number 91-111, mostly divided, but with a few entire.
Adults may attain a total length (including tail) of 2 feet 6 inches (76 cm). [5]
Bailey's snake is considered Near Threatened by IUCN. [1] In the last decades, the growing exploitation of geothermal energy has led to a destruction of hot spring habitats, resulting in an increased threat to populations of hot-spring snakes. [7] [10] [11]
The existence of Bailey's snake was first announced in the scientific literature in 1907, when it was described as a new species by Frank Wall. [5] Wall originally classified it as Tropodinotus baileyi. In 1953 Malnate referred to it as Tropidonotus (= Natrix) baileyi, and realizing that Bailey's snake did not fit in the genus Natrix, placed it in the new genus Thermophis, designating T. baileyi as the type species. [12]
Snakes of the genus Thermophis live probably at the highest altitude of any snakes in the world. [13] The presence of T. baileyi is strongly attributable to hot springs with low sulphur concentration, locations in river valleys that provide rocky slopes and vegetated shorelines, and existence of a river within a 500 m (1,600 ft) radius. [9]
The Nilgiri keelback, also known commonly as Beddome's keelback, is a species of snake found in the Western Ghats in India. The species is named after Richard Henry Beddome, 1830–1911, British army officer and naturalist. It was first discovered near the Nilgiris but is now known more widely from the Western Ghats. This snake is terrestrial and feeds on toads.
Hebius khasiensis, commonly known as the Khasi Hills keelback or Khasi keelback, is a species of colubrid snake endemic to southeastern Asia.
The Assam keelback, commonly known as Peal's keelback, is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Northeast India. It has recently been rediscovered after 129 years in Arunachal Pradesh.
Wall's keelback is a species of natricine snake endemic to Northeast India.
The checkered keelback, also known commonly as the Asiatic water snake, is a common species in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia. It is non-venomous.
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Rhabdophis tigrinus, also known commonly as the tiger keelback, kkotbaem, or yamakagashi, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to East Asia and Southeast Asia. Many sources, though not ITIS, recognize one subspecies, Rhabdophis tigrinus formosanus of Taiwan.
The green water snake is a common species of nonvenomous natricine snake endemic to the southeastern United States.
Thermophis is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to China.
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Tropidonophis doriae, commonly known as the barred keelback, is a species of snake belonging to the family Colubridae. The species is native to New Guinea and some nearby islands.
Hebius is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae.
Hebius venningi, commonly known as the Chin Hills keelback or Venning's keelback, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia.
Hebius sauteri, commonly known as Sauter's keelback or the Kosempo keelback, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia.
Pope's keelback is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in Vietnam and southern China.
Rhabdophis barbouri, also known commonly as Barbour's water snake, is a species of keelback snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Philippines.
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