Rhinophis philippinus

Rhinophis philippinus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Uropeltidae
Genus: Rhinophis
Species: R. philippinus
Binomial name
Rhinophis philippinus
(Cuvier, 1829)
Synonyms

Rhinophis philippinus, or Peter's earth snake, is a species of snake in the Uropeltidae family. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.[3]

Description

Brown dorsally and ventrally, each scale with a lighter margin. Some specimens have a yellowish blotch near the head or on the anal region.

Total length 27 cm (10 34 in).

Dorsal scales arranged in 17 rows at midbody (in 19 rows behind the head). Ventrals 153-172; subcaudals 3-6.

Snout acutely pointed. Rostral obtusely keeled above, about 2/5 the length of the shielded part of the head. Nasals separated by the rostral. Eye in the ocular shield. No supraoculars. Frontal usually longer than broad. No temporals. No mental groove. Diameter of body 24 to 34 times in the total length. Ventrals only slightly larger than the contiguous scales. Tail ending in a large convex rugose shield, which is neither truncated nor spinose at the end. Caudal disc about as long as the shielded part of the head.[4]

References

  1. Boulenger, G.A. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families...Uropeltidæ... Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. pp. 141-142.
  2. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  3. Bamaradeniya, Channa N.B. The Fauna of Sri Lanka: Status of Taxonomy, Research and Conservation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IUCN, 2006. 163.
  4. Boulenger, G.A. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families...Uropeltidæ... Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. pp. 140-142. (Rhinophis planiceps).

Further reading


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