Distributed range & status
These types of snakes are commonly found in wetland areas of Sri Lanka including Yatiyantota, Pungala, BalangodaMatara, Kandy, Galle, Mannar & Jaffna. Also distributed in southern Asia countries.
Scales
rostral |
|
frontal |
1 length is as same as oculars |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
Partially divided scale |
internasals |
1 |
loreals |
1 |
preoculars |
1 length is as same as frontal |
postoculars |
2-3 |
temporals |
2+(1-3) |
Supralabials |
8-9 (3-4 or 4-5 connect to eye) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
Keels are present |
ventrals |
129-157 |
anal |
1 divided |
subcaudals |
55-85 divided |
19 mid body scale rows moderately over lapped scale. There distinctly keeled & strongest on posterior part of body & tail.
Characteristics
Anterior & posterior moderately narrowing body is present. It’s a medium size snake with a short snout, slit like nostrils & the eyes are placed on top of the snout. The head is large in juveniles but in adults, it becomes smaller. They lack apical pits. Circular pupil is present in the eye. Long tail is seen in them.
Colour
Dorsal body is olive brown or greenish grey. In juveniles two series or unpatterned small black spots are present. A dark lateral streak & red lateral line may run along the body. Sometimes black spot in two lines may run along the body. Between these lines are darker in colour. In adults dorsal body has a plain colour. Ventral body & supralabials may be yellow, orange or white in colour.
Venom
They’re non poisonous snakes.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
They are diurnal & fond of damp places near water on the plains. It’s also found in coastal areas & near agricultural fields. Found mainly near water bodies with a moist area. Mangrove areas, ponds & streams are habitats of these snakes. They’re well adupted to climb low bushes & also known as a good swimmer. Often they stay buried in mud pools. Some times they can be found in groups. When exited neck region is flattened. Do not bite most of the time. In dry seasons they estivate.
Breeding
They are oviparous snakes. They breed during the rainy seasons. They lay clutches of 10-32 eggs in December to April.
Growth
At birth the body length is 100-150mm & grows in to 300-500mm.
Food
Diet includes frogs, tadpoles, crustaceans, crab, prawns aquatic insects & fish. Pupae stages of mosquitoes are also include in diet.
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