Big Eyed Bamboo Keelback

Southeast Asia Snakes

Snakes ~ Keelbacks ~ Big-Eyed Bamboo Keelback

The big-eyed bamboo keelback is a species distributed widely across India, China and northen Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand. In Peninsular Malaysia, it has only been documented from the Cameron Highlands, the southernmost record. This unique snake is able to mimic a cobra's hood by flattening its neck. Only one other keelback species in Malaysia is able to perform this; Macrophistodon rhodomelas, or the blue-necked keelback.

Pseudoxenodon macrops has a vertebral row of broad yellowish spots that are bordered by black scales. The reddish brown or yellowish grey flanks are chequered with black patches. The ventrals are white with poorly-defined black bands that are spaces a few ventral scales apart. A black triangular patch is present on the top of the neck while the head is greyish brown. The eyes are remarkably large and greyish in colour. This species can occur in a few colour forms, including yellow, brown and grey.

The big-eyed bamboo keelback is a secretive species that is rarely encountered. It hunts frogs and lizards in its prefered habitat of upper-level rainforest though it can also be found in mid-level rainforest. Otherwise, the ecology of this snake is poorly-known.