Distributed range & status
These snakes are distributing sea level to 1000m. Also these snakes can be found in Eastern Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Southern china, South land Asia, & Thailand.
Scales
rostral |
|
frontal |
|
supraoculars |
|
parietals |
|
prefrontals |
|
nasals |
divided |
internasals |
1 pair. Posterior parts are narrow. |
loreals |
1 |
preoculars |
1 |
postoculars |
3 |
temporals |
(2+2) or (2+3) |
Supralabials |
9 (4 & 6 connects with the eye) |
mental |
|
infralabials |
|
sublinguals |
|
coastals |
|
ventrals |
122-158 |
anal |
Divided scale |
subcaudals |
70-97 divided |
Mid body is consisting of 19 rows of scales. Dorsal scales are strongly keeled.
Characteristics
The body of the snake is short, cylindrical & consists of a clear neck. Slightly pointed head is present. The eye consists of a rounded pupil. Nostrils are narrow, directed slightly upwards. The tail is long. The female is longer in length.
Colour
These snakes have various colours. Most are common having dorsally shiny olive-brown, yellow, brown or grey body. Black irregular spots are arranged in 5-6 rows along the body. They may have a red or pink border. Posterior body spots are unclear. The head is olive brown in colour. 2 black strips run behind eyes to the upper lip & from postoculars to edge of the mouth. Neck consists of a black ring. Ventral body is yellow or white.
Venom
These snakes are non poisonous.
Dentition
Data not found.
Behavior
They are diurnal & nocturnal. It’s a water snake from the plains, abundant in water ways, such as flooded rice fields, ponds, lakes, marshes & rivers. They are good swimmers. In dry conditions, they undergo aestivation in groups. In colder, northern regions, it hibernates. They are known to be very aggressive. When threatened they attempt to bite, by flattening the head & the neck as the Cobra. The bite may cause wounds. Also they may release an odor which has a bad smell.
Breeding
They’re oviparous. The gestation period is 55-67 days. Females guard the clutches of 30-70 eggs & the incubation period is 37-51 days & sometimes it may be even 90 days. The eggs may be laid under a rock or in side a hole near a water body.
Growth
At birth 100-200mm & grow in to an adult length of 400-600mm.
Food
Diet consist frogs & fish. Some times even aquatic birds become their diet. They do not kill the prey.
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