Wildlifeof India
Uropeltis rubrolineata
Shieldtails, Blind & Burrowing SnakesUropeltis rubrolineata
Basic stats
Habitat
Forest, 400–1,500m; also coconut plantations; ground-dwelling and burrowing
Range
Western Ghats south of the Palghat Gap: Anaimalai and Travancore hills
Size
Total length up to 40cm
The red-lined earth snake, or Travancore uropeltis, is a snake of the family Uropeltidae endemic to southern India, found in the Western Ghats from south of the Palghat Gap to Bhimashankar and in the Anaimalai and Travancore Hills. It is blackish brown above and below, with a bright red stripe along each side, usually about two and a half scale rows wide, starting on the lip scales. The snout is bluntly pointed (Wikipedia, general species account).
Its preferred habitat is forest at 400–1,500 m, though it has also been found in coconut plantations. Adults may reach 40 cm in total length. It lives on the ground and burrows.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Uropeltis rubrolineata live in?
- Forest, 400–1,500m; also coconut plantations; ground-dwelling and burrowing
- Where is the Uropeltis rubrolineata found?
- Western Ghats south of the Palghat Gap: Anaimalai and Travancore hills
- How big is the Uropeltis rubrolineata?
- Total length up to 40cm