Distributed range & status
This snake is an endemic & relict species to Sri Lanka found in low country wet zone & sub montane foresets elevations up to 1500m. Ratnapura, Balangoda, Kandy, Matale, Sinharaja, Galle, Kathawatta, Matugama, Kalawana, Hiyare, Pundaluoya.
Scales
rostral |
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frontal |
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supraoculars |
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parietals |
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prefrontals |
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nasals |
1 divided in to 2. posterior is larger |
internasals |
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loreals |
1 does not connect with the internasal |
preoculars |
1 does not connect with the frontal |
postoculars |
2 |
temporals |
(2+2) or (2+3) |
Supralabials |
8-9 (3-5 connected with the eye |
mental |
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infralabials |
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sublinguals |
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coastals |
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ventrals |
180-202 |
anal |
1 undivided |
subcaudals |
42-64 undivided |
17 or 19 mid body scale rows are present. Scales are not keeled. Vertebrals are clearly enlarged & hexagonal in shape.
Characteristics
This snake has a medium sized body tapering head to tail. Body is dull in appearance. Longitudinal section of the body is triangular. The head is pear shaped & it’s distinct from the neck. Dorso-ventrally flattened body & a short tail is present. A round snout is present.
Colour
Dorsal body is grey mixed black with white colour rings. (These may be reduced or lack by the adults) body have 13-20 bands & the tail have 3-7 bands. A white band is present on the neck of the juvenile. Black bands extend towards the venter but are fairly diffused. Ventral body is black. White bands are present.
Venom
This snake is known as a non poisonous snake.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
Nocturnal & terrestrial snake found also in human habitations. They often hide under leaves, logs, & rubble in forest during day time. They prefer wet habitats because they may dehydrate & die when exposed long term dry conditions. When disturbed it coils it self to a ball & hides its head underneath the coils. They mimic the highly venomous Sri Lankan Krait (Bungarus ceylonicus). They may bite at times.
Breeding
It is an oviparous snake producing 4-7 eggs at a time.
Growth
At birth they measure around 200mm & grow up to 400-600mm.
Food
Diet comprises of frogs, geckos, skinks & small non venomous snakes.
Identification
Body colour is identical to Bungarus spp but differ in having scales that are not keeled also vertebrals are clearly enlarged & hexagonal in shape & the head is smaller in size.
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