Distributed range & status
Found in low country north western wet zone coastal areas of Sri Lanka. Kandy, Sinharaja, Kukulegala, Palada, Molkawa, Kanneliya, Paramankanda, Kitulgala, Namunukula, Ritigala. Also known from Western Ghats of India.
Scales
rostral |
|
frontal |
1 scale is maller than the lateral scales |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
univided scale |
internasals |
2 |
loreals |
1 length is longer than the height |
preoculars |
1 spreaded towards the top of head |
postoculars |
2 or 3 |
temporals |
(3+4) |
Supralabials |
8 (4-6 connected to the eye) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
Keels are present |
ventrals |
248-266 |
anal |
1 scale undivided |
subcaudals |
113-127 divided |
19 mid body scale rows are present. Vertebrals are enlarged & clear. There hexagonal in shape.
Characteristics
This snake is a middle sized, long & narrow snake with a laterally flattened body. Rounded snout is present with a gradually narrowing head. Head is distinct from neck. Large eyes are present with a vertical pupil. Prehensile tail is also seen in them.
Colour
Dorsally grayish brown or line of black blotches runs from neck to tail as vertebral spots. Top of the head may have a dark brown patch or the same colour of the body. Dark & narrow strip begins from the back of the eye & runs down to mouth region. Ventral side of body is yellow-cream or white with dark brown dots.
Venom
It is a rear fanged snake. These snakes are mildly venomous. Ophisthoglyphous fangs are present.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
Inhabits scrub forests & habitats modified by humans, in the arid zone lowlands. When threatened it becomes very aggressive. They are known to shake their tails, make a ball from the anterior part of the body & try to bite. When bitten by these snakes the wound would be swollen for a few hours or few days with a mild pain.
Breeding
They are oviparous snakes. They lay 5-10 eggs at a time.
Growth
They grow up to 500-800mm of length.
Food
Geckos, Lizards & skinks comprise the diet.
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