Distributed range & status
This snake is an endemic species to Sri Lanka. Wet zones low country 1000m Ganoruwa, Ambuluwawa, Palmadulla, Ratnapura, Gammaduwa, Udugama, Sinharaja, Hewissa, Kanneliya, Matugama, Kalawana, Sri Pada, Kalawana, Kahawatta, Balangoda Kuruwita.
Scales
rostral |
1 Enlarged |
frontal |
Length is same as the lateral scales |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
divided |
internasals |
1 pair |
loreals |
Half the size of the nasal |
preoculars |
1 |
postoculars |
2 |
temporals |
1+2 |
Supralabials |
7 (3 & 4 touches the eye) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
127-152 |
anal |
1 divided |
subcaudals |
20-34 divided |
There are 15 rows of mid body scales. Body scales are smooth.
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 is dark brown with light edged cross bars that may be complete or partially across back. Along the vertebral there is an orange line. Forehead has a dark crescent marking & an elongated spot behind it. Ventral body is white with square black markings resembling a chess board.
Venom
These snakes are non venomous.
Dentition
Sharp 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
They are mainly active when it gets dark, terrestrial. These snakes may also be active in rainy nights. They are found under decaying leaves, trunks, heaps of stones & tree hollows. They inhabit forests. When threatened they flatten the head & the body in to a triangular shape & make a ball, but does not attack.
Breeding
Data not found.
Growth
At birth 100mm & grow up to 200-300mm adult.
Food
The diet consists of small reptiles, insects & reptile eggs.
Identification
Oligodon calamarius differ from all other Oligodon spp. in having a ventral body of cream colour with square black markings which makes it look like a chess board.
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