Wildlifeof India
Uropeltis nitida
Shieldtails, Blind & Burrowing SnakesUropeltis nitida
Basic stats
Habitat
4,000–5,000 feet (1,200–1,500m)
Range
Western Ghats: the Cochin side of the Anaimalai Hills
Size
Total length up to 35cm
The southern earth snake, or Cochin shieldtail, is a non-venomous shieldtail snake endemic to southern India, found in the Western Ghats on the Cochin side of the Anaimalai Hills. The type locality given by Beddome (1878) is the Anamallays at 4,000 to 5,000 feet. Adults may reach 35 cm (Wikipedia, general species account).
The back is black, and the belly is black with distant yellow crossbands that are usually broken at the midline and alternating, but sometimes join to form complete bands. The snout is bluntly pointed.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Uropeltis nitida live in?
- 4,000–5,000 feet (1,200–1,500m)
- Where is the Uropeltis nitida found?
- Western Ghats: the Cochin side of the Anaimalai Hills
- How big is the Uropeltis nitida?
- Total length up to 35cm