Rhinophis homolepis
Rhinophis homolepis, commonly known as Trevelyan's earth snake,[1] is a species of snake in the family Uropeltidae. It is endemic to the rain forests and grasslands of Sri Lanka.[1][2]
| Rhinophis homolepis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Uropeltidae |
| Genus: | Rhinophis |
| Species: | R. homolepis |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhinophis homolepis Hemprich, 1820 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
Dorsum brown. A series of yellow triangular spots along each side of the body. Ventrum yellow, with a black spot on each scale.
Total length 27.5 cm (10+3⁄4 in).
Dorsal scales arranged in 17 rows at midbody (in 19 rows behind the head). Ventrals 190–204; subcaudals 3–6.
Snout acutely pointed. Rostral obtusely keeled above, about 2/5 the length of the shielded part of the head. Nasals separated by the rostral. Eye in the ocular shield. No supraoculars. Frontal usually longer than broad. No temporals. No mental groove. Diameter of body 26 to 30 times in the total length. Ventrals only slightly larger than the contiguous scales. Tail ending in a large rugose shield, which is neither truncated nor spinose at the end. Caudal disc as long as the shielded part of the head.[3]
References
- Rhinophis homolepis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 31 May 2020.
- Bamaradeniya, Channa N.B. The Fauna of Sri Lanka: Status of Taxonomy, Research and Conservation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IUCN, 2006. 163.
- Boulenger, G.A. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families...Uropeltidæ... Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. pp. 140, 142.
Further reading
- Hemprich, W. 1820. Grundriss der Naturgeschichte für höhere Lehranstalten. August Rücker. Berlin. 432 pp.