Smith's Earth Snake

Smith's earth snake, also known as the violet shieldtail, is a non-venomous snake of the family Uropeltidae endemic to India, found in the Anaimalai Hills. Adults may attain 48 cm in total length. Like all shieldtail snakes it has a characteristic pointed head and flattened tail (Wikipedia, general species account).

Its preferred habitat is moist forest at 1,200–1,400 m. The belly is dark violet with alternating large yellow spots or crossbands, and the smooth back scales are in 19 rows at midbody (21 behind the head).