Distributed range & status
Oligodon taeniolatus ceylonicus is endemic to Sri Lanka found in north-west & east sides of the island in coastal areas. Oligodon taeniolatus fasciata is found in dry & intermediate zones including Tricomalee, Serukele, Mannar, Anuradapura, Knuckles, Mulativu, Colombo, Kundasale.
Scales
rostral |
1 triangularly enlarged |
frontal |
Length is same as the lateral scales |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
divided |
internasals |
|
loreals |
1 |
preoculars |
1 |
postoculars |
2 |
temporals |
1+2 |
Supralabials |
7 (3 & 4 touches the eye) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
158-218 |
anal |
1 divided |
subcaudals |
29-56 divided |
There are 15 rows of mid body scales.
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
Oligodon taeniolatus ceylonicus dorsally dark brown with a light coloured brown line run along the body which starts from the neck region & ends at the tail. Neck has a dark patch. Dark brown unclear cross bars are found dorsally. Head contains a light tip marking. Ventral body is cream colour with no patches.
Oligodon taeniolatus fasciata dorsally yellowish brown with dark brown blotches run along the body. Fore body blotches are divided in to 2. Head contain an arrow shaped marking. Ventral body is cream colour with no patches.
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
They are mainly active at dusk, & diurnal, terrestrial. These snakes may also be active in rainy nights. They are found under decaying leaves, trunks, heaps of stones & tree hollows. They are most commonly found near roads. When threatened they flatten the head & the body, but does not attack.
Breeding
They are oviparous snakes laying 3-9 eggs in late June.
Growth
At birth 150mm & grow up to 300-450mm adult.
Food
The diet consists of small reptiles, lizards, insects, spiders & reptile & frog eggs.
Identification
Oligodon taeniolatusceylonicus differ from all other Oligodon spp. in having dorsally separated by a mid narrow band, 2 broad brown bands run along the body. Oligodon taeniolatus fasciata differ having dorsally light colour narrow strip dividing clear dark brown blotches.
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