Distributed range & status
Endemic snake species found in Sri Lanka. They are mainly found in the wet zone and mountain sides such as Kandy, Sinharaja, BAlangoda, Knuckles, Pundaluoya, Rakwana, Rantnapura, Balangoda, and Ginigathhena.
Scales
rostral |
1 May be laterally flattened, not keeled |
frontal |
1 same length as the frontal. Width is less than the length |
supraoculars |
absent |
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
Rostral divides the scale |
nasals |
|
internasals |
|
loreals |
absent |
preoculars |
absent |
postoculars |
absent |
temporals |
absent |
Supralabials |
|
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
148-168 |
anal |
|
subcaudals |
3-9 |
These snakes have smooth and shiny scales, which are not overlapped. The mid body has 17 scale rows. Lateral scales are shorter than the frontal.
Characteristics
The body is very short, & cylindrical. It lacks a distinct neck. Small, pointed, dorsoventrally flattened head is present. The eye is covered with a membrane. Snout lacks a keel. The tail shield is concave and circular, it bears tubercles.
Colour
Dorsally and ventrally dark brown in colour and all scales of the body bear yellow colour patch. The head top has a ‘V’ shaped mark which bears the rostral. The black tail bears a yellow ring and sometimes a yellow patch ventrally. The ventral body has larger yellow patches.
Venom
These snakes are not venomous. Do not try to attack
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
Found in loose soil with litter also in agricultural lands. . Their locomotion becomes fast in loose soil. They are seen living in groups or alone. Females are more common.
Breeding
These snake species produce 4-5 offspring.
Growth
At birth they measure 95-100mm & grow up to 250-350mm.
Food
These snakes mainly feed on earth worms and also they are seen to utilize insects specially termites.
Identification
Data not found.
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