Distributed range & status
This snake is an endemic species to Sri Lanka & is restricted to the sub montane & mountain forests at elevations between 300m in the central, southern, uva & sabaragamuwa provinces. They are found in Hakgala, Kanneliya, Udagama, Ratnapura, Gilimale, Knuckles.
Scales
rostral |
|
frontal |
There is a cuneate scale between it & the supraocular |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
undivided |
internasals |
This & the prefrontal area is covered by small 14-21 scales. |
loreals |
enlarged |
preoculars |
2-3 |
postoculars |
2-3 |
temporals |
|
Supralabials |
7-8 ( between 4th & the 5th diamond shaped scale is present) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
120-126 |
anal |
|
subcaudals |
28-33 divided |
At mid body there are 17 rows of dorsal scales, & are smooth. Protuberance at the tip the snout covered with 10-15 very small scales. Some have enlarged & hexagonal vertebral 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
Data not found.
Venom
These are moderately venomous snakes.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
Data not found.
Breeding
These are viviparous snakes. 4-10 young are produced at once.
Growth
These snakes grow to a maximum length of 200-250mm.
Food
Their diet includes skinks, frogs & geckos.
Identification
Data not found.
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