Wildlifeof India
Uropeltis madurensis
Shieldtails, Blind & Burrowing Snakes
Photo: Gachand · CC BY-SA 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Uropeltis madurensis
Basic stats
Diet
Principally earthworms (believed)
Habitat
Montane forest, cloud forest and tropical rainforest, 1,300–1,600m; also marginally cardamom, coffee and tea plantations
Range
Cardamom Hills: Megamalai and Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala
Uropeltis madurensis is a snake endemic to the Western Ghats of South India, found in the Cardamom Hills, which include Megamalai and Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala. It is a forest species, partial to montane forest, cloud forest and tropical rainforest at 1,300–1,600 m, and also occurs marginally in cardamom, coffee and tea plantations amid primary forest (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is a burrowing, nocturnal snake that hides under stones, fallen logs and rocks by day. It is active during the monsoon rains, especially after dark, when it comes to the surface to forage. It is believed to prey principally on earthworms.
Quick answers
- What does the Uropeltis madurensis eat?
- Principally earthworms (believed)
- What habitat does the Uropeltis madurensis live in?
- Montane forest, cloud forest and tropical rainforest, 1,300–1,600m; also marginally cardamom, coffee and tea plantations
- Where is the Uropeltis madurensis found?
- Cardamom Hills: Megamalai and Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala