Distributed range & status
These snakes are widespread in the plains, & the foothills low lands of the dry zone & wet zone up to 600m of Sri Lanka. Kanneliya, Peradeniya, Udawalawe, Hambantota, Pallekele, Anuradapura, Trincomalee, Bellanwila, Suriya wewa, Yala, Kalutara, Gampola, Nilgala, Hantana, Horana, Sinharaja, Gannoruwa, Bolgoda, Matara, Colombo, Jaffna, Matugama, Serukele, Kandy. Also found in Pakistan, Peninsular India & Nepal.
Scales
rostral |
Enlarged & spreaded on the head |
frontal |
Longer than supra ocular |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
|
internasals |
|
loreals |
Absent or 1 |
preoculars |
1 |
postoculars |
2 |
temporals |
1+2 |
Supralabials |
6-8 (3 & 4 touches the eye) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
167-203 |
anal |
1 divided |
subcaudals |
41-59 divided |
There are 17 rows of mid body scales. Body scales are smooth & each contains an apical pit.
Characteristics
Body is cylindrical, stout & short. Distinct neck is present with an oval shaped head. Blunt snout & nostrils are small. Rounded pupils contain in eyes. Tapering tail is present.
Colour
Dorsal body light brown or greenish brown, usually with red or purple marking. The markings are lighter on flanks, with 19-25 black cross bars or transversely arranged spots that break up on flanks into streaks. Sometimes they are edged with cream colour. Bars are 1-5 scales wide & head bear 3 dark coloured V shaped markings on the head, ventral body is cream with indistinct lateral spots.
Venom
These snakes are non venomous.
Dentition
Sharp blade like, flattened teeth are present which are curved in side. An Indian tribe known as Gurkhas use knives named kukri & these snakes have similar shaped teeth.
Behavior
Mainly diurnal, crepuscular & terrestrial ground dwelling snake but also may some times climb trees. These snakes may also be active in rainy nights. They are found under decaying leaves, heaps of stones & tree hollows. They inhabit forests, gardens, & parks. They may also enter houses. When threatened they flatten the head & the body in to a triangular shape & make a ball, but does not attack.
Breeding
They are oviparous snakes laying 4-9 elongated eggs.
Growth
At birth 100mm & grow up to 400-600mm adult.
Food
The diet consists of lizards, skinks, small mammals & reptile & amphibian eggs.
Identification
Oligodon arnensis differ from all other Oligodon spp. in having 17 rows of mid body scales.
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