Wildlifeof India
Uropeltis maculata
Shieldtails, Blind & Burrowing Snakes
Photo: Davidvraju · CC BY-SA 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Uropeltis maculata
Basic stats
Habitat
6,000–7,000 feet (1,800–2,100m)
Range
Western Ghats of southern India: Anaimalai Hills and southern Kerala
Size
Total length up to 38cm
The spotted earth snake, or spotted shieldtail, is a non-venomous snake of the family Uropeltidae endemic to southern India, found in the Anaimalai Hills and southern Kerala in the Western Ghats. Beddome (1886) gives the higher ranges of the Anaimalai at 6,000–7,000 feet. Adults may reach 38 cm in total length (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is dark brown or black above and below, with several deep red blotches on the sides at the front, rarely along the full length of the body, and similar red blotches about the tail. The tail is rounded or slightly flattened from the sides.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Uropeltis maculata live in?
- 6,000–7,000 feet (1,800–2,100m)
- Where is the Uropeltis maculata found?
- Western Ghats of southern India: Anaimalai Hills and southern Kerala
- How big is the Uropeltis maculata?
- Total length up to 38cm