Distributed range & status
Only 5 specimens are found from Sri Lanka. H.F. Fanando (1886) Kelani ganga, Padma & Mangala de Silva (1985) Kala oya in Kalpitiya, Ko Ko Gyi (1970) North central province, Deni Porej (1997) Muturajawela, Darma Sri Kandambi (1999) Negambo Mangrove Duwa. Occur also in South East Asia such as Malay Peninsular, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Scales
rostral |
Connescts with 5 other scales |
frontal |
1 broad & prefrontals are broad |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
1 |
internasals |
1 |
loreals |
1 |
preoculars |
1 |
postoculars |
2 |
temporals |
(1+2) or (2+2) |
Supralabials |
7 or rarely 8 (4 connects with eye) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
7 |
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
147-158 |
anal |
1 divided |
subcaudals |
31-34 divided |
Mid body is consisting of 17 rows of scales. Dorsal body scales are smooth. Lateral scales are larger than the frontal.
Characteristics
It has a medium sized, relatively long, cylindrical body. Central body becomes broader. Blunt & short snout is present. Nostrils are found dorsally & are also narrow. Neck region is clearly distinct fro the head. Eyes are small &found to more dorsal side. The pupil is vertically elliptical & bears a muscular flap to cover the eye when needed. Large eyes have vertical pupils. The tail is long. The tail is short tapered towards the end.
Colour
Dorsal body has unpatterned olive green, grey or brown. subcaudals have a darker colour. Ventral side is dark grey & labials have a brownish cream colour with medium dark streaks.
Venom
These snakes are mildly poisonous. Opisthoglyphous type poison gland is present.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
Nocturnal snake but may even be found at day time. this snake is a very active aquatic snake.
Breeding
It’s an ovoviparous snake & 5 offspring are produced at once.
Growth
Adult length of the snake is 300-500mm.
Food
Many types of crustaceans including soft shelled crabs & shrimps are included in their diet. Rarely may utilize fish or other aquatic organisms. They break their food in to pieces before eating.
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