Distributed range & status
It’s an endemic snake to Sri Lnaka found mostly in dry zone coastal areas including Chilaw, Colombo, Andigama, Ampara, Matara, Tabbowa & Yala.
Scale
rostral |
Twice broader than height & has a cross edge |
frontal |
Longer than the width |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
Divided with hind part broader |
internasals |
|
loreals |
1 longitudinal. Do not connect with the internasal scale |
preoculars |
1 separated from the frontal |
postoculars |
2 |
temporals |
2+3+4 |
Supralabials |
9 (3-5 connects with the eye) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
187 |
anal |
1 divided |
subcaudals |
68 |
Mid body consist of 17 rows of scales. Scales are smooth.
Characteristics
Body is long, cylindrical. The hind body is a bit narrowed. Head is flattened having a shape of a pear. The snout is broad & projects beyond lower jaw. The neck is distinct. Length of tail is 1/5 of the body.
Colour
Dorsal body is brown or grayish brown with about 19 cream coloured spots. Head is dorsally light brown. Labials are cream & dark brown spots are present. Eye is black. Dark stripe starts from top of labials & run towards the neck. Ventral body is cream.
Venom
These snakes are non poisonous.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
They are nocturnal, becomes active at dark time to catch geckos. Inhibits lowlands elevations up to 350m, parks & also enter human dwellings of rural areas. They occupy on roofs & abandoned storerooms. Mainly terrestrial but also may be found on trees. Tree hollows, under rocks, caves are also common for them to go search for food. They are very fast movers & active. They try to escape fast when excited or may flatten the body making a knot & hide its head in the ball. Do not try to bite most of the time.
Breeding
Young hatch out of the egg in September-October.
Growth
At birth 140-190mm & adult length of the snake is 500mm.
Food
They mainly eat Geckos. But also utilize other snakes & rodents.
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