Distributed range & status
This snake is found in wet & intermediate zones & dry zones up to 1000m low & mid country of Sri Lanka. Also it’s known from south Asia.

Scales

27-29 mid body scale rows are present. Scales are smooth except the posterior body scales & tail having keels.

Characteristics
It is a slender medium sized snake. Narrow flattened head & a relatively clear neck region is present. Head bears a rounded snout. Rounded pupils are present in large eyes. Short tail is present. Its length is around 1/5 of the body length.

Colour
Dorsal body is olive or chocolate brown. Black transverse bands with white blotches on sides present. White color is spreaded in between the bands. Neck has a dark edged white collar or two dark narrow lines. There is a narrow black stripe between the head lateral scales. Ventral body is yellowish white. The tongue is blackish blue & the pupil is golden. 

Venom
These snakes are non poisonous.

Dentition
Data not found.

Behavior
These snakes are diurnal & nocturnal, terrestrial. They could also be found on trees. Inhabit in plains & mid hill forests, plantations near rivers. In dry seasons they live in holes or nests. When threatened it rears its head & part of its body throwing the neck & body in to a coil to attack. They might rattle the tail at these times. The mouth is opened to show its black colour. They live as couples. Theses snakes are easily tamed. Some tomes may bite. The wound may be swollen for a few hours & may even bled for some time.

Breeding
They’re oviparous snakes, 3-12 eggs are laid at once. 5-7 clutches may be laid in a year. Young comes out of eggs after 65-95 days after the eggs are laid. Mostly nests are used to lay eggs.

Growth
At birth they measure around 200-250mm & grow up to 500-700mm. females are longer in length than the males.

Food
The diet consists of frogs, rodents, lizards & birds.