Description ²

INTRODUCTION

• Non Venomous
• Rare species endemic to few parts of India.

IDENTIFICATION

• Slender body with shiny smooth scales and glossy white belly.
• Olive brown or grayish brown dorsal with sides being darker.
• Elongated head broader than neck and have rounded pupils.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

• Rare species found in drylands of Central-western India.
• Inhabit semi-deserts, arid plains and scrub areas of MP, Maharashtra & Gujarat.
• Found near thorny vegetation, rocks and termite mounds often in city outskirts.

DIET AND BEHAVIOR

• Feed on geckos, skinks and small rodents.
• Assumed to be diurnal but seen from evening to night.
• Forages on the ground but also seen at heights near houses & plantations.
• Alert, moderate locomotion and usually docile.
• When threatened, throws forebody into loose loops but rarely bites.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Vinay Gogula, all rights reserved, uploaded by Vinay Gogula
2. (c) Vinay Gogula, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HerpMapper
• Snake Database
• The Reptile Database
• VertNet

iNat Map