Wildlifeof India
Nilgiri Keelback
Colubrid Snakes
Photo: Davidvraju · CC0
Sahyadriophis beddomei
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly toads
Habitat
Tropical rainforest and moist forest, 60–1,000m; hunts on stream banks from dawn to dusk
Range
Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu; first found near the Nilgiris
Size
Longest measured by Boulenger 51–66cm
The Nilgiri keelback, also known as Beddome's keelback, is a snake of the Western Ghats in India, first discovered near the Nilgiris but now known more widely from the Western Ghats. The longest specimen measured by Boulenger had a total length of 51–66 cm, including a tail of 13–19 cm. It is found in the tropical rainforests and moist forests of the Nilgiri hills at 60–1,000 m (Wikipedia, general species account).
It lives on the ground and feeds mainly on toads. Though not aquatic, it can be found actively hunting from dawn to dusk on stream banks or near other bodies of water.
Quick answers
- What does the Nilgiri Keelback eat?
- Mainly toads
- What habitat does the Nilgiri Keelback live in?
- Tropical rainforest and moist forest, 60–1,000m; hunts on stream banks from dawn to dusk
- Where is the Nilgiri Keelback found?
- Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu; first found near the Nilgiris
- How big is the Nilgiri Keelback?
- Longest measured by Boulenger 51–66cm