Wildlifeof India
Rhinophis siruvaniensis
Shieldtails, Blind & Burrowing Snakes
Photo: Davidvraju · CC0
Rhinophis siruvaniensis
Basic stats
Habitat
Wet evergreen forest, 800–1,100m; burrows up to 30cm deep
Range
Siruvani Hills, Western Ghats, Kerala
Size
Juveniles 12–14cm; adults up to 30cm
Rhinophis siruvaniensis is a snake of the family Uropeltidae endemic to the Siruvani Hills in the Western Ghats of India. Juveniles are about 12–14 cm long including the tail, and adults are known to reach up to 30 cm. It lives between 800 and 1,100 m in wet evergreen forests, in burrows up to 30 cm deep (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is dark brownish black above and creamy white below, with irregular patches projecting up the sides. The back scales are in 17 rows at midbody, with 202–205 belly scales and 4–8 pairs of under-tail scales.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Rhinophis siruvaniensis live in?
- Wet evergreen forest, 800–1,100m; burrows up to 30cm deep
- Where is the Rhinophis siruvaniensis found?
- Siruvani Hills, Western Ghats, Kerala
- How big is the Rhinophis siruvaniensis?
- Juveniles 12–14cm; adults up to 30cm