金絲蛇（Hebius miyajimae）號稱台灣四大美蛇之一，又名台北腹鏈蛇，宮島氏腹鏈蛇，種小名為紀念日本人宮島氏(Miyajima)於1928年5月在台北採獲的模式標本。

The Maki’s keelback  (Hebius miyajimae), also known as the Taipei keelback or Miyajima’s keelback, is considered one of four most beautiful snakes in Taiwan. Its species name honors Miyajima, a Japanese researcher who collected the type specimen in Taipei in May 1928.

屬於小型蛇類，無毒，日行性，但是因為數量稀少，能看到的機會並不多。我們曾經在新竹的霞喀羅古道上遇見一次，但驚鴻一瞥就竄入草叢中去了，只留下一張模糊的影像。

This is a small, non-venomous, diurnal snake. However, due to its rarity, sightings are uncommon. We once encountered one along the Xiakelo Historic Trail in Hsinchu, but before we could get a good look, it darted into the grass, leaving us with only a blurry image as a fleeting memory.

另外一次比較幸運，在北橫的巴陵附近有人發現一隻，我們得以近距離的觀察紀錄。牠的體背為黑褐色，有橘黃色或橘紅色縱帶貫穿全身，因此得名「金絲蛇」。與之前介紹過的梭德氏帶紋赤蛇配色非常相似，不過梭德氏頸部是一條白色帶狀斑，而金絲蛇則是兩塊白色圓點，可以明顯區分。

On another occasion, we were luckier. Near Baling on the Northern Cross-Island Highway, someone spotted a Hebius miyajimae, allowing us to observe and document it up close.

Its body is dark brown to black, with an orange-yellow or orange-red longitudinal stripe running along its entire length, which gives it the name “golden thread snake.” Its coloration closely resembles that of the previously introduced Rhabdophis swinhonis (Swinhoe’s striped keelback). However, a key distinguishing feature is that Rhabdophis swinhonis has a single white band around its neck, whereas the golden thread snake has two distinct white circular spots, making it easy to differentiate the two.

由於數量稀少被列為一級保育類動物，但是在一些分佈熱點常常被路殺，保育等級：瀕危。

Due to its rarity, Hebius miyajimae has been classified as a Class I protected species. However, in some distribution hotspots, it is frequently killed by vehicles on roads. Conservation status: Endangered.