Distributed range & status
These types of snakes are known as early arrivals & endemic to Sri Lanka. Found in wet & intermediate zones 610-1100m hills, central of Sri Lanka. Commonly species are known in tea plantations, vegetable gardens & river banks. Namunukula, Gampola, Weligalla, Peradeniya, Gammaduwa, Kandy, Dambulla, Colombo
Scales
rostral |
|
frontal |
Pre frontal is smaller than lateral scales |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
Divided scale |
internasals |
1 |
loreals |
|
preoculars |
present in between the prefrontal |
postoculars |
2 contact with parietal. Lower scale is longer than the upper scale. Both scales connect with the lateral scale |
temporals |
(1+2) or (3+3) |
Supralabials |
6 (4 connect to eye) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
17 |
ventrals |
134-159 |
anal |
1 scale undivided |
subcaudals |
25-39 |
17 mid body scale rows moderately over lapped scale.
Characteristics
These snakes have a small head indistinct from neck, pointed snout, cylindrical body with a short & pointed tail.
Colour
Dorsal body of the snake is yellow or rich orange, brown & mottled discontinuous mid dorsal stripe. Two rows of lateral spots present with a dark brown or dark yellow head. There are two spots on the sides of the head & in the middle of the spot have another darker spot. Labials & ventral side of the body is yellow.
Venom
These snakes are non poisonous.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
They are diurnal & loose soil burrowing snakes, found under rock piles, dry leaves, & logs. Some times they can be found in groups. Do not bite most of the time but if bitten it may cause mild local reaction, slight burning sensation & swelling.
Breeding
They are oviparous snakes. They lay 2-6 eggs.
Growth
Measure of the total length is 300-380mm. Female has a relatively larger body with a shorter tail.
Food
Diet consists of earth worms.
Identification
Aspidura branchyorrhos can be differentiated from other Aspidura spp by differences of scales. Prefrontal does not connect with the eye. Two scales of post ocular connect with lateral scale & ventral scale number 134-189.
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