10. 
ll. 
12" 
13. 
14. 
15.3 
COLUBRINAE 
Key to genera 
Vertebral row of scales slightly larger than others; dorsal 
scales oblique 2 
Vertebral row of scales not enlarged 4 
Body green; ventrals with a white line; a long, narrow head, 
snout pointed; side of snout with deep groove; pupil 
horizontal Ahaetulla 
Not green over entire body 3 
Pupil round; head oval; body slender; ventral scales with 
strong keel Dendrophis 
Pupil “vertical; head triangular, body not especially 
slender; ventrals without keels Boiga 
Tip: of snout long, flexible, with small scales; green on 
back Rhynchophis 
(A single species: R. boulengeri) 
Not as above 5 
Head triangular; large scales of head keeled; temporal 
scales small, keeled Macropisthodon 
(A single species: M. rudis) 
Head oval; scales of head smooth 6 
Loreal scale absent 7; 
Loreal present 8 
Internasals absent; no temporals; preocular present... 
Calamaria 
Internasals present; temporals present; no preocular... 
Blythia 
Internasals and prefrontals paired ial 
Internasals or prefrontals irregular, not paired 9 
A single internasal and a single prefrontal; dark brown or 
back, belly yellow Rhabdops 
(A single species: R. bicolor) 
More than one internasal 10 
Two internasals; a single prefrontal; nostril near dorsal 
surface of snout Opisthotropis 
Two to 4 internasals and prefrontals; nostril on dorsal 
surface of snout Atretium 
(A single species: A. yunnanensis) 
Large area of rostral scale visible on dorsal surface of 
head; internasal suture short; in some species internasals 
absent Oligodon 
Rostral barely or not visible on dorsal surface 12 
More than one loreal; eye large Ptyas 
Only one loreal 13 
Temporals small, scarcely distinguished from neck scales... 
Coluber 
Temporals moderately large, in 2 or 3 rows 14 
Scale rows in even numbers, 14 or 16 Zaocys 
Scale rows in odd numbers 15 
Scale rows 13-15 16 
Scale rows 17 19 
Scale rows 19 25 
Scale rows 21; 2 postoculars Elaphe (part) 
