Hebius_maximus
Hebius maximus
Species of snake
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]