Kerala Shieldtail Snake
Uropeltis rubromaculata
A regionally restricted burrowing snake from the state of Kerala in southern India, known for its reddish-marked underside.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.2-0.35 m (0.7-1.15 ft)
- Range
- Kerala, Western Ghats, India
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Overview
The Kerala Shieldtail Snake is a small, fossorial species of the shieldtail family found in the southern Western Ghats, primarily within the state of Kerala. It is one of many closely related and often geographically restricted shieldtail species endemic to this biodiversity hotspot.
This snake is completely harmless to humans and, in keeping with its family, is almost never observed above ground due to its strictly burrowing lifestyle.
How to identify it
- Small, smooth-scaled, cylindrical body
- Dark brown to black dorsal coloration with reddish or pinkish blotching, particularly noticeable ventrally
- Hardened, shield-shaped tail tip typical of Uropeltidae
- Small eyes and blunt head adapted for pushing through soil
- Adults typically 20-35 cm in length
Habitat & range
Restricted to the southern Western Ghats within Kerala, India, inhabiting moist forest soil, plantation undergrowth, and leaf litter at low to moderate elevations.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and fossorial, feeding on earthworms and other soft-bodied invertebrates in the soil. Like other shieldtails, it uses its hardened tail tip to seal burrow entrances against predators. It is live-bearing, producing small numbers of offspring.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kerala Shieldtail Snake venomous?
No, it is non-venomous and harmless to humans.
Where is the Kerala Shieldtail Snake found?
It is restricted to the southern Western Ghats within the Indian state of Kerala.
How big does the Kerala Shieldtail Snake get?
Adults typically reach 20-35 cm in length.
What does the Kerala Shieldtail Snake eat?
It feeds mainly on earthworms and other soil-dwelling invertebrates.
Kerala Shieldtail Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Kerala Shieldtail Snake.
