Distributed range & status
2 distinct populations exist in Sri Lanka. Calliophis melanurus sinhaleyusis a sub species that is endemic to Sri Lanka & are found from low & mid country lands wet, dry & intermediate zones. Andigama, Trincomalee, Galle, Tissamaharama, Mihintale, Anuradapura, Kataragama, Balangoda, Matale, Kantale, Chilaw, Bundala, Serukele. The species is recorded also from Peninsular India.
There is also another species which is endemic to Sri Lanka calledbloody vented Coral Snake (bada rathu Depath kaluwa) but is not yet scientifically described. It is recognized from 3 specimens.
Scales
rostral |
|
frontal |
|
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
Divided scales |
internasals |
|
loreals |
absent |
preoculars |
1 touches the nasal scale |
postoculars |
2 |
temporals |
(1+1) large sized |
Supralabials |
6 (3 & 4 touch the eye) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
223-265 |
anal |
Divided scale |
subcaudals |
24-38 divided |
They have 13 rows of mid body scale rows. Scales are smooth but not very shiny.
Characteristics
The body of this snake is cylindrical & thin. Head & body is elongated & of equal diameter throughout. Dorsoventrally flattened mid size head is present. Broad & rounded snout & a small mouth is present. Neck is not distinct, and eyes are small with rounded pupil. Small nostrils are present. Tail is short with a blunt end.
Colour
Dorsal body is sand yellow, centre of each scale with a brown dot. Head & neck are black with 2 cream spots behind parietals. Throat is yellow. Neck & tail is blue colour with black patches. Tail bear 2 black rings. 2 red & pale blue patches are found near the vent. Ventral body is orange & the ischiadic region is red. Eyes are black.
Venom
These snakes are highly venomous but there are no records of a human death caused by a Coral Snake. So they may even take as moderately venomous snake. The wound may get swollen & the pain spread. The lymph area pain might occur for a few days.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
These snakes are active at dusk or when crepuscular. Hide under leaf litter, decaying logs, & stones. It is also a ground dweller. Mostly only the head is exposed when hidden under litter. When threatened it curls its tail to expose the red & the blue patches by lifting the tail up. They are non aggressive. Also tries to hide the head under the body.
Breeding
Data not found.
Growth
These snakes grow up to an adult of 200-270mm.
Food
Diet consists of blind snakes & worms.
|
