Distributed range & status
These types of snakes are known as early arrivals & endemic to Sri Lanka. They’re found in the mountains of Sri Lanka. It is an early arrival, endemic species. Rathnapura, Hopewell estate in Balangoda, Avissawella, Dimbulla, Pundaluoya, Dickoya.
Scales
rostral |
|
frontal |
connected with the eye |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
divided |
internasals |
1 |
loreals |
absent |
preoculars |
absent |
postoculars |
2 scales contact with parietal & lower scale is longer than the upper scale |
temporals |
(1+2) |
Supralabials |
6 (4 connected to the eye), |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
Keels present |
ventrals |
123-137 |
anal |
undivided |
subcaudals |
15-35 undivided |
Scales are smooth.17 mid body scale rows are moderately over lapped.
Characteristics
These snakes have a small head indistinct from neck, pointed snout, middle sized, well built cylindrical body with pointed tail.
Colour
Dorsal body of the snake is brownish olive colour or brownish orange. Sides of the olive colour mid dorsal band can be found light colour lined dark coloured blotches 2-3 scales wide, flanked on each side by a series of 23-26 patches. There are 2 lines of these blotches. Flanks with dark markings occupy 2-4 scales that reach. ventrals. Forehead is olive brown, lips are light yellow, edged with black line, a narrow dark band from temporals that descend diagonally past angle of mouth, to edge of ventrals, venter mottled green & series of solid blotches along ventral mid line. Ventral body is yellow colour with brown blotches.
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. There is a record of 21 eggs lying of a female snake.
Growth
Measure of the total length is 400-500mm. 650mm snake was also recorded. Among Rough side snakes these snakes are known as the biggest Rough side snake. Female snakes have bigger body size & shorter tails.
Food
Probably the diet may consist of same food as Boie’s Rough-side.
Identification
Aspidura copei can be differentiated from other Aspidura spp by differences of scales. 17 mid body scale rows present & ventral scale count is 123-137.
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