Re. 43 LYCODON TRAVENCORICUS(Travancore Wolf Snake)

 

Phylum: Chordata

Class   : Reptilia

Order  : Squamata

Family : Colubridae

Genus : Lycodon

Species : travencoricus

DESCRIPTION

Lycodon travancoricus, commonly known as the Travancore wolf snake, is a species of colubrid snake endemic to south India. Lycodon travancoricus is dark brown or black dorsally, with white crossbands and white lineolations on the sides. Ventrally it is uniform white. It is very similar to Lycodon striatus but the upper lip is brown, or white spotted with brown. The dorsal scales are smooth, in 17 rows. The ventrals number 175-202; the anal is entire; and the subcaudals are 56–76, usually double, but sometimes single. Adults may attain 60 cm (23½ inches) in total length, with a tail 12.5 cm (4⅞ inches) long Maximum 742mm (29 in). It is a nocturnal, oviparous non-venomous snake. It prefers forests both evergreen and deciduous, on windward plains and hills.

It is endemic to Peninsular India. It is a hill-dwelling species, preferring high-elevation wet forests. It occurs in the Western Ghats across kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, southern Gujarat and southern parts of the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu and also in the Maldives.

IUCN Status: Least Concern