Distributed range & status
Found in mangrove swamps, mudflats, shallow coastal waters & estuaries & lagoons in western, southern, & eastern provinces. Bolgoda, galle, mathara, eluvankulama, madakalapuva, panadura, panapitiya, muthurajavela, kaluthara, maduganga, bellanvila, kalpitiya, kandakuliya, benthara, dodandoova, godavaya. India & east to Southeast Asia is also known for these snakes. Also present in India to South-east Asia.

Scales

Head is covered with small granular shaped scales. Scales found on top of labials are relatively bigger in size. Mid body area has 100-150 rows of small contiguous scales with keels. Width is longer than the length of these scales & is contiguous.

Characteristics
Stout & heavy bodied, with a short & blunt head. No clear neck is found. On the top of the snout is the valve like nostrils which can be covered with a cartilaginous flap when needed. Small eyes are present with a horizontal pupil. Body is covered with loose skin & wrinkly with warts. The tail is pointy & compressed laterally.

Colour
Dark grey or black head has light coloured spots on the top & at the back. The head & the body mostly will take a colour of dark grey or dark brown if it’s full grown. The body alternate grey & cream bands, tapering towards the Venter. Light & darkness of theses bands may differ. Most males have an orange mixed to their skin colour.

Venom
Not poisonous.

Dentition
No Recors Found

Behavior
Wart snakes are known as sluggish, non aggressive snakes. Moves fast in water but very slow movers on land. Nocturnal & is capable of remaining under water for a long time. It can make sudden jerky movements when threatened.

Breeding
Ovoviviparous, with clusters comprising 4-12 off spring are produced between January & April.

Growth
At birth they measure 200-300mm & grow up to 900-1100mm. female snakes are longer than the male snakes.

Food
Use the rough skin to catch prey. Mainly Fish but also frogs & crustaceans form their diet.