Distributed range & status
Found in some parts of the intermediate forests of lowlands & mid hills of Sri Lanka. Wet locations of their habitat include Kuruvita, Peradeniya, Kegalla, Balangoda, Uva Patanas, Bandarawela, Labugama, Deniyaya, Pungala, Udagama, Pelmadulla, Sinharaja.

Scales

19 mid body scale rows are present. Lowest lateral & ventral scales lack keels, but all the other scales on the body have keels. Nostrils are in the middle of two nasal scales.

Characteristics
This snake has a distinct head from the neck. It has large eyes with rounded pupil & a rounded snout. The body is cylindrical, short & well grown. Nuchal gland extends to anterior level of the body at the back of the neck with the absence of scales. the tail is short.

Colour
At birth the whole body is red in colour with white lateral spots. Offspring dorsaly dark red head & light red or orange neck. There’s a black strip running along the eye. Dorsal body colour is olive-brown with black cross bars that enclose a series of large yellow or red black edged spots. Ventral body is yellow or light brown. Supralabials are white.

Venom
These snakes are mildly venomous. Ophisthoglyphous fangs are present.

Dentition
Data not found.

Behavior
They are diurnal, some times may even be nocturnal. These snakes are terrestrial mainly inhabit the wet leaf litter of forests. It’s a slow moving snake. When threatened it raises the anterior part of the body to expose the red patch on the neck. When bitten mild pain, headache & swollen will last for few hours. 

Breeding
They are oviparous snakes. They lay 7 eggs at a time. Young hatch in March.

Growth
Offspring are 102mm length.

Food
Diet comprises of frogs, skinks, but hatchlings are known to eat grass hoppers.

Identification
Similar looking to Buff Striped keelback (Amphiesma stolatum) but Blossom Krait can be distinguish by the two preoculars & dark red body colour.