Re. 48. LYCODON AULICUS(Indian Wolf Snake)

 

Phylum: Chordata

Class   : Reptilia

Order  : Squamata

Genus : Lycodon

Species: aulicus

DESCRIPTION

Lycodon aulicus, commonly known as the Indian wolf snake or common wolf snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake found in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The colouration of this snake is variable. This snake is often confused with the common krait. The presence of a loreal shield can be used to distinguish it from kraits. Snout broad, much depressed, long, spatulate, with the upper lip swollen, and without canthus rostralis. Rostral shield very low, broad, slightly bent backwards on the upper surface of the snout; anterior frontals [internasals] very small; posterior frontals [prefrontals] longer than broad, much more so in adult specimens than in young ones.

Distribution: Lycodon aulicus is found in Pakistan, Srilanka, India (north to Himalayas and Assam; Maharastra and Gujarat, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar (Burma). It is one of the most common snakes of India and Ceylon but becomes scarcer on the coasts of the southeastern parts of India.

Diet: Lycodon aulicus feeds on lizards and frogs. According to Günther (1864) it is one of the most formidable enemies of the skinks which form almost its sole food

Reproduction: Females may be larger than males. They breed prior to the monsoons and lay 4-11 eggs.

The eggs hatch in September or October, and the hatchlings are 14–19 cm (5½-7⅜ inches) long.

IUCN Status: Least concern