Distributed range & status
Endemic snake species found in Sri Lanka. They are mainly found in the intermediate zone and down country and mid country wet zone with dark brown soil such as Gannoruwa, Hantana, Knuckles, BAlangoda, Udawattakale, Yatiyantota, Bulutota, and Rakwana.
Scales
rostral |
1 bear a small keel |
frontal |
1 rostral is longer |
supraoculars |
Absent |
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
Divided halfway by the rostral |
nasals |
Divided completely by the rostral |
internasals |
|
loreals |
Absent |
preoculars |
Absent |
postoculars |
Absent |
temporals |
Absent |
Supralabials |
4 |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
153-182 |
anal |
1 divided |
subcaudals |
3-6 except for the last scale all others are divided |
The mid body has 17 scale rows, which are not overlapped. Lateral scales are same length as the fontal.
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 bears a small keel. The tail shield is concave and circular, it bears tubercles.
Colour
Dorsal body of this snake is dark purple in colour. Lateral and ventral scales bear a white colour ridge. Head is black with no spots and the neck may sometimes bear a yellow spot. Anal scale, each side of the tail and the tail shield is yellow in colour.
Venom
These snakes are not venomous. Do not attempt to attack.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
It shows the balling behaviour when excited and hides the head within the ball. Also it raises the tip of the tail high and wags. Their locomotion becomes fast in loose soil.
Breeding
Data not found.
Growth
At birth they measure 90-95mm & grow up to 190-250mm.
Food
Data not found.
Identification
Data not found
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