Tropidonophis mcdowelli

Tropidonophis mcdowelli
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Tropidonophis
Species:	T. mcdowelli
Binomial name
	Tropidonophis mcdowelli; Malnate & Underwood, 1988

Last updated October 06, 2025

Tropidonophis mcdowelli, also known commonly as the northern New Guinea keelback, is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to northern New Guinea in both Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea.^[1]^[2]

Etymology

Its specific name, mcdowelli, is in honor of American herpetologist Samuel B. McDowell.^[3]^: 173

Description

Tropidonophis mcdowelli has pits on the head shields anterior to the parietals. It also has a high number of subcaudals, 75–95.^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Tropidonophis mcdowelli is lowland and montane rainforest at elevations of 579–1,885 m (1,900–6,184 ft) above sea level in association with watercourses.^[1]

Diet

Tropidonophis mcdowelli preys predominately upon frogs.^[1]

Reproduction

Tropidonophis mcdowelli is oviparous.^[2]

References

1 2 3 4 Tallowin, O.; Parker, F.; O'Shea, M. (2022) [amended version of 2015 assessment]. "Tropidonophis mcdowelli ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022 e.T42492577A217801425. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T42492577A217801425.en . Retrieved 14 March 2024.
1 2 3 Tropidonophis mcdowelli at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 14 March 20249.
↑ Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xiii + 296. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.

Malnate, E.V.; Underwood, G. (1988). "Australasian Natricine Snakes of the Genus Tropidonophis ". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 140 (1): 59–201. (Tropidonophis mcdowelli, new species, p. 142).
O'Shea, M. (1996). A Guide to the Snakes of Papua New Guinea: The First Comprehensive Guide to the Snake Fauna of Papua New Guinea. Port Moresby: Independent Publishing. ISBN 978-9980-916-96-9. xii + 239 pp. (with a section on snakebite and its treatment in Papua New Guinea by Prof. David A. Warrell and Dr. David G. Lalloo).
Roberts, J.R.; Kraus, F.; Allison, A.; Richards, S.J.; Iova, B.; Tjaturadi, B.; Ruane, S.; Austin, C.C. (2024). "Systematics and Biogeography of a Sunda-Papuan snake lineage (Natricidae: Tropidonophis Jan 1863)". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 202 (4): zlae039.

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[IUCN-1] 1 2 3 4 Tallowin, O.; Parker, F.; O'Shea, M. (2022) [amended version of 2015 assessment]. "Tropidonophis mcdowelli ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022 e.T42492577A217801425. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T42492577A217801425.en . Retrieved 14 March 2024.

[RDB-2] 1 2 3 Tropidonophis mcdowelli at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 14 March 20249.

[3] Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xiii + 296. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.

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