Distributed range & status
Endemic snake species found in Sri Lanka. They are reported from the central highlands such as, Kandy, Peradeniya, Knuckles, Koslanda, Beragala, Halmulla, and Bandarawela.
Scales
rostral |
1 Lacks a keel, same length as the frontal |
frontal |
1 length is longer than the width |
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
Rostral divides the complete scales |
internasals |
|
loreals |
|
preoculars |
|
postoculars |
|
temporals |
|
Supralabials |
|
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
141-168 |
anal |
1 divided |
subcaudals |
6-10 divided |
The mid body has 17 scale rows, which are not overlapped. Lateral scales are shorter in length than the frontal.
Characteristics
The body is very short, & flattened or half 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 joins ventrally as a ridge and there are two clear spines on each side of the ridge.
Colour
Dorsal body of this snake is black or dark brown colour with yellow dots and patches along the body. Sometimes they might arrange in lateral lines. Juvenile snakes have yellow or light green colour outline around each of the body scales. Ventral body is black with yellow dots. Two ends of the body may be black, brown or dark purple.
Venom
These snakes are not venomous. Do not attempt to attack.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
Data not found.
Breeding
Data not found
Growth
At birth they measure 90-100mm & grow up to 250-300mm.
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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