Distributed range & status
This snake is an endemic species to Sri Lanka & is restricted to the sub montane & mountain forests at elevations between 914-2000m in the central, western & sabaragamuwa provinces. They are found in Peradeniya, Sinharaja, Pallepola, Knuckles, Mathugama, Hakgala, Kanneliya, Hanthana
Scales
rostral |
|
frontal |
|
supraoculars |
Longer than the frontal |
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
2 smaller than H. hypnale |
nasals |
undivided |
internasals |
Each are divided |
loreals |
|
preoculars |
3 |
postoculars |
1-3 |
temporals |
2 below scale is larger |
Supralabials |
7 |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
124-142 |
anal |
undivided |
subcaudals |
33-41 divided |
At mid body there are 17 rows of dorsal scales, which are weakly keeled. Protuberance at the tip the snout covered with 7-15 very small scales.
Characteristics
The body is relatively stout, but relatively small & cylindrical. The head is distinct from the neck. a wart like protuberance at the tip that is covered with tiny scales. This is found on the middle of the snout. Nostrils are small. There are loreal pits between the 2 sides of the head, eye & nostrils. Pupil of the mid sized eye is vertical & elliptical. Rounded belly is present. The tail is short & the hemipenis is divided in to 2 having spines at the anterior ends.
Colour
Dorsal body colouration varies light to dark brown or pale to olive, flecked & mottled with darker areas, the pattern consist of 17-26 sub oval or sub triangular brown blotches. The forehead is brown. A pair of dark stripes from back of head to neck is present. Another broad dark stripe from upper lip to sides of throat & neck is present. The chin & infralabials are black or dark brown. There are 2 white spots behind the infralabials. The ventral body is white or grey with red or brown spots.
Venom
These are moderately venomous snakes. The bitten area gets swollen & the pain of the wound may last for a few days.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
These snakes inhabit rain forests & plantation. They are nocturnal & diurnal. They are terrestrial but also seen climb small trees. They are often seen coiled in bushes, timber, trunks, buttresses of trees, rocks where there is shade. They are generally inoffensive, both in the wild and in captivity, rarely attempting to bite unless restrained or injured. It has an irritable disposition, flattening the body and will vibrate its tail when annoyed. They can jump to a length when try to attack.
Breeding
These are viviparous snakes. 4-6 young are produced at once.
Growth
These snakes grow to a maximum length of 300-350mm.
Food
Their diet includes skinks, frogs & rats.
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