Amphiesma monticola

Taxobox | name = Wynaad Keelback

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regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
familia = Colubridae
subfamilia = Natricinae
genus = "Amphiesma"
species = "A. monticola"
binomial = "Amphiesma monticola"
binomial_authority = (Jerdon, 1853) [Jerdon, 1854] The Wynaad Keelback or Hill Keelback ("Amphiesma monticola") is a species of non-venomous colubrid snake found in the Western Ghats of India. They are especially well known from the Kodagu and Wayanad regions of the Western Ghats.

Description

This species is a small and slender snake found in leaf litter in forest habitats. The head is reddish. The body is brownish with a greenish gloss, while some individuals are bright green.

This species has 19 keeled scale rows at midbody, 133-144 ventrals. The anal scales are divided, and has 78-29 subcaudals. There are 8 supralabials with 3, 4 and 5 touching the eye. There is one preocular scale. [Whitaker and Captain, 2004]

Description from G. A. Boulenger, Fauna of British India

Notes

References

* Jerdon, T.C. (1853) Catalogue of the Reptiles inhabiting the Peninsula of India. Part 2. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal xxii: 522-534
* Whitaker, R. and Ashok Captain (2004) Snakes of India: The Field Guide. Draco Books, Chennai.

External links

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