Keelback
Tropidonophis mairii
Olive to brown with ridged scales and irregular dark flecks.
Habitat and distribution
Near creeks, dams and wet ground across the north and east.
Safety
One of the few Australian animals that can eat cane toads.
Quick facts
- Venom
- Non-venomous. It can eat young cane toads without being poisoned.
- Size
- Usually 50 to 80 cm, occasionally up to 1 m.
- Active
- By day and night, usually near water.
- Diet
- Mainly frogs and tadpoles, plus fish and small lizards.
Often confused with
- Rough-scaled snake (Tropidechis carinatus)
- Tiger snake (Notechis scutatus)
Common questions
Is the keelback venomous?
No. The keelback, or freshwater snake, is harmless. The catch is that it looks very similar to the dangerous rough-scaled snake, so treat it with caution.
Do keelbacks eat cane toads?
Yes. Keelbacks can eat small cane toads and tolerate toad toxin far better than most Australian predators.
Where it is found
Approximate range based on AROD, adapted to our dot grid. Approximate historical reference range; not a habitat or absence assessment. Listed for 4,258 towns and suburbs. Ranges are approximate and do not confirm occurrence at a particular address.
- Coffs Harbour - Grafton, NSW
- New England and North West, NSW
- Other NSW localities, NSW
- Richmond - Tweed, NSW
- Darwin, NT
- Northern Territory - Outback, NT
- Brisbane - East, QLD
- Brisbane - North, QLD
- Brisbane - South, QLD
- Brisbane - West, QLD
- Brisbane Inner City, QLD
- Cairns, QLD
- Central Queensland, QLD
- Darling Downs - Maranoa, QLD
- Gold Coast, QLD
- Ipswich, QLD
- Logan - Beaudesert, QLD
- Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday, QLD
- Moreton Bay - North, QLD
- Moreton Bay - South, QLD
- Other QLD localities, QLD
- Queensland - Outback, QLD
- Sunshine Coast, QLD
- Toowoomba, QLD
- Townsville, QLD
- Wide Bay, QLD
- Western Australia - Outback (North), WA
Call 1800 4 SNAKE (1800 476 253)
If someone has been bitten, call 000. Never approach or handle a snake to identify it.