Distributed range & status
The sub species of this type of snakes Sibynophis subpunctatus ceylonicus is endemic to Sri Lanka. They are found up to 750m in dry & wet zone plains low & mid country, Neboda, Panadura, Galle, Bellanwila, Horana, Colombo, Puttalam, Sinharaja, Galatura, Naboda, Panadura, Galoya, Serukele, Benthota, Deniyaya, Kalutara & Galatura Estate in Sabaragamuwa Province. Also they are distributed in Western Ghats India.
Scales
rostral |
|
frontal |
Touches 6 other scales |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
Divided scale |
internasals |
2 |
loreals |
Longer in length than the height |
preoculars |
1 |
postoculars |
2 large scales touching these lateral scales |
temporals |
|
Supralabials |
8-9 (3-5 or 4-6 connects with the eye) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
157-176 |
anal |
Divided scale, posterior anal scales 52-64 present divided. |
subcaudals |
52-64 |
Mid body scales have 17 rows. Body scales are smooth. They lack apical pits.
Characteristics
This snake is small & cylindrical with a narrow slender body. It has a snout slightly broader than the head. Head & neck regions are distinct. Nostrils are small openings. Eyes are large with a rounded pupil. The tail is long & tapering.
Colour
Dorsal body is light brown, brown mixed grey or red mixed brown with dark brown dots on each scale. These dots are mostly distinct on the posterior body. Sometimes dark spots are even found on the anterior body. A vertebral series of black dots are present. head & the nape is dark brown or black head ending with a yellow ring. Neck bear 2 yellow patches. The head has white or yellow light patches on the either side. lips, throat, & ventral body is yellow, a black dot on outer edge of each ventral shield, forming a dotted line on flanks. The tail lack distinct marks.
Venom
These snakes are non poisonous.
Dentition
Lots of teeth are present curved inwards with sharp ridges.
Behavior
They are diurnal & nocturnal. They inhabits in forested hills & agricultural fields. These snakes are terrestrial, hiding under debris of logs & also capable of burrowing, & active day by day. Do not try to attack most of the time.
Breeding
They’re oviparous snakes laying 2-6 eggs at once.
Growth
These snakes grow up to 200-350mm.
Food
Frogs, small snakes & lizards, Geckos, & skinks comprise their diet.
Identification
Sibynophis subpunctatus show similar body coloration to Calliophis melanurus sinhaleyus but it differs on having2 black bands & the ventral is reddish in colour.
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