Hebius maximus, the western China keelback, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. The snake is endemic to Southwestern China (Chongqing, Sichuan, northwestern Guizhou).[1][2] Originally described as a subspecies of Amphiesma sauteri (=Hebius sauteri), its validity has been doubted;[1][2] however, it was revalidated by a 2022 study based on morphological and molecular evidence. The evidence even warranted the recognition of Hebius maximus as a full species.[2]

Hebius maximus
Male from Mt. Laojun in Sichuan
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Hebius
Species:
H. maximus
Binomial name
Hebius maximus
(Malnate, 1962)
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Amphiesma sauteri maximus Malnate, 1962
  • Hebius sauteri maximus (Malnate, 1962)

Etymology

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The specific name maximus refers to this taxon having the highest count of ventral scales among what at the time were the three subspecies of H. sauteri.[1][2]

Description

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Hebius maximus is a small to medium-sized snake, reaching 597 mm (23.5 in) in total length. The tail is relatively long, 25–33% of the total length. Dorsal colouration is reddish-brown or grayish brown, while the ventrum is cream white. An ill-defined dark olive dorsal streak scattered with black spots runs from neck to tail.[2]

 
Female from Mount Emei, Sichuan
 
Male from Wujing, Guizhou

Habitat

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Hebius maximus occurs in subtropical mountain regions at elevations of about 812–1,200 m (2,664–3,937 ft) above sea level in coniferous forests, large forest clearings, and agricultural areas. It is diurnal, active at dusk. Its prey includes earthworms, slugs, and tadpoles.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Hebius maximus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 5 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Li, Mao-Liang; Ren, Jin-Long; Huang, Jun-Jie; Lyu, Zhi-Tong; Qi, Shuo; Jiang, Ke; Wang, Ying-Yong & Li, Jia-Tang (2022). "On the validity of Hebius sauteri maximus (Malnate, 1962) (Squamata, Natricidae), with the redescription of H. maximus comb. nov. and H. sauteri (Boulenger, 1909)". Herpetozoa. 35: 265–282. doi:10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e94920.