INDIAN SNAKES

HANDBOOK
INDIAN SNAKES
R. C. SHARMA
Desert Regional Station, Zoological Survey of India, Jodhpur
Edited by the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata
Zoological Survey of India
Kolkata

CONTENTS
Foreivord Hi
Prefeace v
Acknowledgements vi
INTRODUCTION 1
HISTORICAL REVIEW 6
PHYLOGENY 8
ZOOGEOGRAPHY 9
SYSTEMATIC 12
:• AQUAMATA - 12
' SERPENTES : 12
Family 1. TYPHLOPIDAE Gray 1845 12
Genus 1. Typhlops Oppel 1811 13
1. Typhlops porrectus Stoliczka 1871 Slender Blind Snake 13
2. Ramphotyphlops (Typhlops) braminus (Daudin 1803) Common Blind Snake 14
3. Typhlops psammeces Gunther 1864 Gunther's Blind Snake 15
4. Typhlops thurstoni Boettger 1890 Malabar Blind Snake 15
5. Typhlops jerdani Boulenger 1890 Jerdon's Worm Snake 16
6. Typhlops tenuicollis (Peters 1864) Peter's Worm Snake 17
7. Typhlops diardi Schlegel 1839 Diard's Blind Snake 17
8. Typhlops oatesi Boulenger 1890 Cacos Blind Snake 19
9. Typhlops bothriorhynchus Gunther 1864 Gunther's Blind Snake 19
10. Txjphlops tindalli Smith 1943 Tindall's Blind Snake 20
11. Typhlops beddomei Boulenger 1890 Beddom's Blind Snake 20
12. Typhlops oligolepis Wall 1909 Wall's Worm Snake 20
13. Typhlops andamanensis Stoliczka 1871 Stoliczka's Blind Snake 21
14. Typhlops acutus Dumeril & Bibron 1844 The Beaked Blind Snake 21
Family II. LEPTOTYPHLOPIDAE
Genus 2. Leptotyphlops Fitzinger 1843
15. Leptotyphlops macrorhynchus Jan. 1862 Beaked Thread Snake 22

(viii)
16. Leptotyphlops blanfordi (Boulenger 1890) Blanford Thread Snake 23
Family III. UROPELTIDAE Gray 1845 24
Key to the genera of family UROPELTIDAE 24
Genus 3. Melanophidium Gunther 186425
Key to the species of Genus Melanophidium 25
17. Melanophidium punctatum Beddome 1871 Travancore Melanophidium 25
18. Melanophidium bilineatum Beddome 1870 Peria-tirrhioot Melanophidium 26
19. Melanophidium xoynaudense (Beddome 1863) Wyna'd Melanophidium 26
Genus 4. Platyplectrttrtis Gunther 186826
to the species of genus Platyplectrurus 26
20. Platyplectrurus trilineatus Beddome 1867 Anaimalai reddish-brown Worm
Snake 27
21. Platyplectrurus madurensis Beddome 1877 Palni Purple-Brown Worm Snake . 27
Genus 5. Teretmrus Beddome 1886 28
Key to the species of genus Teretmrus .-. 28
22. Teretmrus sanguineus (Beddome 1867) Anaimalai Teretrurus : 28
23. Teretrurus rhodogaster (Wall 1921) Palni Teretrurus 28
Genus 6. Plectmnis Dumeril 1851 29
Key to the species of Plectrurus 30
24. Plectrurus perroteti Dumeril & Bibron 1854 Nilgiri Brown Mud Snake 30
25. Plectrurus guentheri Beddome 1863 Sispara Reddish Purple Mud Snake 31
26. Plectrurus auretts Beddome 1880 Chambra Hill Mud Snake 31
27. Plectrurus canaricus (Beddome 1870) Canara Violet Mud Snake 31
Genus 7. Uropeltis Cuvier 1829 32
Key to the species of genus Uropeltis 32
28. Uropeltis ellioti (Gray 1858) Elliot's Uropeltis 34
29. Uropeltis nitidus (Beddome 1878) Anaimalai Uropeltis 35
30. Uropeltis ocellatus (Beddome 1863) Nilgiri Uropeltis 36
31. Uropeltis dindigalensis (Beddome 1877) Dindigul Uropeltis 36
32. Uropeltis beddomei (Gunther 1862) Beddom's Uropeltis 36

(ix)
33. Uropeltis macrorhynchus (Beddome 1877) Ponachi Uropeltis 37
34. Uropeltis wood-masoni (Theobald 1876) Palni Uropeltis 37
35. Uropeltis macrolepis (Peters 1861) Peter's Uropeltis 37
36. Uropeltis ceylanicus Cuvier 1829 Cuvier's Uropeltis 38
37. Uropeltis nrctkeps (Gunther 1875) Tinevelly Uropeltis 40
38. Uropeltis rubroniaculatus (Beddome 1867) Beddom's Uropeltis....'. 41
39. Uropeltis rubrolineatus (Gunther 1875) Travancore Uropeltis 41
40. Uropeltis phipsoni (Mason 1888) Bombay Hills Uropeltis 41
41. Uropeltis myhendrac (Beddome 1886) Myhendra Mountain Uropeltis 42
42. Uropeltis broughami (Beddome 1878) Sirumallay's Uropeltis 43
43. Uropeltis maculatus (Beddome 1878) 43
44. Uropeltis petersi (Beddome 1878) : 43
45. Uropeltis liura (Gunther 1875) Madura Hill Uropeltis 44
46. Uropeltis pulneyensis (Beddome 1863) 44
47. Uropeltis grandis (Beddome 1867) Dark-violet Uropeltis 44
48. Uropeltis smithi (Gans 1973) 44
Genus 8. Rhinophis Hemprich 1820 44
Key to the species of genus Rhinophis 45
49. Rhinophis sanguineus Beddome 1863 46
50. Rhinophis fergusonianus Boulenger 1826 46
51. Rhinophis travancoricus Boulenger 1892 47
Family IV. XENOPELTIDAE Cope 1864 47
Genus 9. Xenopeltis Reinwardt 1827 47
52. Xenopeltis unicolor Reinwardt 1827 Sunbeam Snake 48
Family V. BOIDAE Gray 1842 49
Key to genera of family BOIDAE 49
Genus 10. Python Daudin 1803 49
Key to the species of genus Python 50
53. Python molurus (Linnaeus 1758) Indian Python, Rock Python 50

M
54. Python reticuldtus (Schneider 1801) Reticulated Python 52
Conns 11. Eryx Daudin 1803 '. 53
Key to the species of genus Eryx 53
55. Eryx conicus (Schneider 1801) Russell's Sand Boa 53
56. Eryx johni (Russell 1801) John's Sand Boa 54
Family VI. ACROCHORDIDAE Bonaparte 1840 = 55
Genus 12. Chersydrus Cuvier 1817 56
57. Chersydrus granulatus (Schneider 1799) 56
Family VH. COLUBRIDAE Cope 1893 57
Keyfto the subfamilies of family COLUBRIDAE 57
Subfamily DIPSADINAE Amarat. 1923 58
Key to the genera of subfamily DIPSADINAE 58
Genus 13. Pareas Wagler 1830 58
Key to the species of genus Pareas 58
58. Pareas macularius Theobald 1868 Darjeeling Snail Eater 59
59. Pareas monticola (Cantor 1839) Assam Snail Eater .'. 59
Subfamily XENODERMINAE Cope 1898 60
Genus 14. Stoliczkaia Jerdon 1870 60
60. Stoliczkaia khasiensis Jerdon 1870 61
Subfamily COLUBRINAE Cope 1898 61
Key to the genera of subfamily COLUBRINAE 61
Genus 15. Elaphe Fitzinger 1833 '. 64
Key to the species of genus Elaphe 65
61. Elaphe-prasina (Blyth 1854) Green Tree Racer .' 66
62. Elaphe frenata (Gray 1853) ,.....?..'. 67
63. Elaphe oxycephala (Boie 1827) 67
64. Elaphe radiata (Schlegel 1837) Copperhead Snake 68
65. Elaphe helena (Daudin 1803) Trinket Snake 69
66. Elaphe taeniura (Cope 1861) Striped Racer 71

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67. Elaphe hodgsoni (Gunther 1860) Olive-Brown Racer 72
68. Elaphe cantoris (Boulenger 1894) Black-spotted Gray Racer 73
69. Elaphe porphyracea (Cantor 1839) 74
Genus 16. Ptyas Fitzinger 1843 75
Key to the species of genus Ptyas 75
70. Ptyas mucosus (Linnaeus 1758) Dhaman, Indian Rat Snake 75
71. Ptyas korros (Schlegel 1837) 77
Genus 17. Zaocys Cope 1860 , 78
72. Zaocys nigromarginatus (Blyth 1854) 79
Genus 18. Argyrogena Werner 1924 79
Key to the species of genus Argyrogena 79
73. Argyrogena ventromaculatus (Gray & Hardwicke 1833-1834) 81
74. Argyrogma fasciolatus (Shaw 1802) Banded Racer 82
75. Argyrogena gracilis (Gunther 1862) White-spotted Brown Racer 83
76. Argyrogena bholanathi Sharma 1976 84
Genus 19. Sphalerosophis Jan 1865 84
Key to the species of genus Sphalerosophis 85
77. Sphalerosophis diadema diadema (Sehlegel 1837)Diadem Snake, Rajatbansi 85
78. Sphalerosophis atriceps (Fischer 1885) Royal Snake 86
79. Spltalerosophis arenarius (Boulenger 1890) Red-spotted Diadem Snake 88
Genus 20. Opheodrys Fitzinger 1843 88
80. Opheodrys doriae (Boulenger 1888) Dorial Green Snake 88
Genus 21. Liopeltis Fitzinger 1843 88
Key to the species of genus Liopeltis 89
81. Liopeltis frcnatus (Gunther 1858) Olivaceous Racer 89
82. Liopeltis stoliczkae (Sclater 1891) Greyish Racer 90
83. Liopeltis calamaria (Gunther 1858) 90
84. Liopeltis nicobariensis (Stoliczka 1870) 91
85. Liopeltis rappi (Gunther 1860) 92

(xii)
Genus 22. Coronella Laurenti 1768 92
86. Coronella brachyura (Gunther 1866) North Indian Olive-brown Snake
Genus 23. Oligodon Boie 1827 93
Kukri Snakes
Key to the species of genus Oligodon 94
87. Oligodon cyclurus (Cantor 1839) North-east Indian Kukri Snake 95
88. Oligodon juglandifer (Wall 1909) Darjeeling Kukri Snake 97
89. Oligodon albocinctus (Cantor 1839) East-Himalayan Rosy-brown Kukri Snake. 97
90. Oligodon melazonotus (Wall 1922) 98
91. Oligodon cinere\is (Gunther 1864) Black Cross-bared Kukri Snake 98
92. Oligodon woodnhsoni (Sclater 1891) Dark-brown or Blackish Andaman Kukri Snake
'. 98
93. Oligodon theobaldi (Gunther 1868) Light-brown Assam Kukri Snake 99
94. Oligodon venustus (Jerdon 1853) Western Ghat Greenish-brown Large Spotted
Kukri Snake 100
95. Oligodon travancoricus (Beddome 1877) Western Ghat Greyish-brown Small Spotted
Kukri Snake 100
96. Oligodon taemolatus (Jerdon 1853) Streaked Kukri Snake 101
97. Oligodon arnensis (Shaw 1802) Common Kukri Snake 102
98. Oligodon erythrorhachis Wall 1910 103
99. Oligodon melaneus Wall 1909 Black Kukri Snake 103
100. Oligodon affinis Gunther 1862 Malabar Brown Kukri Snake 104
101. Oligodon brevicauda Gunther 1862 Anaimalai Brown Kukri Snake 104
102. Oligodon erythrogaster Boulenger 1907 Red-bellied Kukri Snake 105
103. Oligodon dorsalis (Gray & Hardwicke 1834) 105
Genus 24. Calamaria Boie 1826 106
104. Calamaria pavimentata Dum. & Bibr. 1854 106
Genus 25. Dendrelaphis Boulenger 1890 107
Key to the species of genus Dendrelaphis 107
105. Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin 1789) Painted Bronze-back 108

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106. Dendrelaphis cyanochloris (Wall 1921) Olive Bronze-back Ill
107. Dendrelaphis grandoculis (Boulenger 1890) Nilgiri Olive-brown Black-blotched
Snake 112
108. Dendrelaphis gorei (Wall 1910) Eastern Himalayan Bronze-brown Snake 112
109. Dendrelaphis bifrenalis (Boulenger 1890) Travancore Bronze-brown Snake .... 112
110. Dendrelaphis caudolineolata (Gunther 1869) Travancore Bronze-olive Snake.. 113
111. Dendrelaphis tristis (Daudin 1803) Common Bronze-back Tree Snake 113
112. Dendrelaphis humayuni Tiwari & Biswas 114
Genus 26. Chrysopelea Boie 1826 '. 115
Key to the species of genus Chrysopelea 115
113. Chrysopelea ornata (Shaw 1802) Golden Tree Snake 116
114. Chrysopelea paradisi Boie 1927 118
Genus 27. Lycodon Boie 1826 119
Wolf Snakes
Key to the species of genus Lycodon 120
115. Lycodon travancoricus (Beddome 1870) Travancore Wolf Snake 120
116. Lycodon jam (Shaw 1802) Shaw's Purple-black Wolf Snake 121
117. Lycodon striatus (Shaw 1802) Barred Wolf Snake 122
118. Lycodon flavomaculatus (Wall 1907) Wall's Black Wolf Snake 122
119. Lycodon mackinnoni Wall 1906 123
120. Lycodon milieus (Linnaeus 1754) Common Wolf Snake 123
121. Lycodon fasciatus (Anderson 1870) East Himalayan Wolf Snake 124
122. Lycodon tiwari Biswas & Sanyal 1965 Andaman Wolf Snake 125
Genus 28. Dinodon Dum. & Bibr. 1853 .;125
Key to the species of genus Dinodon 126
123. Dinodon septentrionalis (Gunther 1875) Gunther's False Wolf Snake * 126
124. Dinodon gammiei (Blanford 1878) Sikkim False WolF Snake 127
Genus 29. Dryocalamus Gunther 1858 127
Key to the species of genus Dryocalamus 127
125. Dryocalamus nympha (Daudin 1803) Bridal Snake 128

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126. Dryocalamus gracilis (Gunther 1864) South Indian Bridal Snake 128
Genus 30. Sibynophis Fitzinger 1843 128
Key to the species of genus Sibynophis 129
127. Sibynophis collaris (Gray 1853) Collared Black-headed Snake 129
128. Sibynophis subpunctatus (Dum. & Bibr. 1854) Light-brown Black-headed Snake
129. Sibynophis bistrigatus (Gunther 1868) Reddish-brown Black-headed Snake .. 131
130. Sibynophis Sagittarius (Cantor 1839) Cantor's Black-headed Snake 131
Genus 31. Atnphiesma Dumeril & Bibron 1854 131
130
^ Key to the species of genus Amphiesma 132
131. Amphiesma parallela (Boulenger 1890) Olive-brown Keelback 133
132. Amphiesma khasiensis (Boulenger 1890) Blackish-brown Keelback 133
133. Amphiesma modesta (Gunther 1875) Brown-black Spotted Keelback 133
134. Amphiesma peali (Sclater 1891) Dark-brown Keelback 134
135. Amphiesma xenura (Wall 1907) Dark Olive-brown Keelback 134
136. Amphiesma stolata (Linnaeus 1758) Striped Keelback 136
137. Amphiesma platyceps (Blyth 1854) Mountain Keelback 136
138. Amphiesma beddomei (Gunther 1864) Beddom's Olive-broun Kedb.u-k 137
139. Amphiesma monticola (Jerdon 1853) Green Keelback 138
Genus 32. Xcnochrophis Gunther 1864 138
Key to the species of genus Xenochrophis 138
140. Xenochrophis piscator (Schneider 1799) Checkered Keelback 138
141. Xenochrophis cirasogaster (Cantor 1839) Dark-bellied Marsh Snake 140
Genus 33. Rhabdophis Fitzinger 1843 141
Key to the species of genus Rhabdophis 141
142. Rhabdophis himalayana (Gunther 1864) Himalayan Keelback 142
143. Rhabdophis subminiata (Schlegel 1837) 142
Genus 34. Natrix Laurenti 1768 142
144. Natrix nicobarensis (Sclater 1891) ..! 143

(XV)
Genus 35. Pseudoxenodon Boulenger 1890 143
145. Pseudoxenodon macrops (Blyth 1854) False Cobra 143
Genus 36. Macropisthodon Boulenger 1893 144
146. Macropisthodon plumbicolor (Cantor 1839) 144
Genus 37. Atretium Cope 1861 :. 146
147. Atretium schistosum (Daudin 1803) Olivaceous Keelback 146
Genus 38. Trachischiwn Gunther 1858 147
Key to the species of genus Trachischiwn 147
148. Trachischium monticola (Cantor 1839) Assam Hill Worm Snake 147
149. Trachischium fuscum (Blyth 1854) Darjeeling Oriental Worm Snake 148
150. Trachischium guentheri (Boulenger 1.890) Gunther's Oriental Worm Snake.... 148
151. Trachischium tenuiceps (Blyth 1854) Bengal Worm Snake 148
152. Trachischium laeve Peracca 1904 West Himalayan Worm Snake 149
Genus 39. Rhabdops Boulenger 1893 149
Key to the species of genus Rhabdops 149
153. Riiabdops olivaceus (Beddome 1863) Olivaceus Slug-eater 149
154. Rhabdops bicolor (Blyth 1854) Assamese Black Slug-eater 150
Genus 40. Blythia Theobald 1868 150
155. Blythia reticulata (Blyth 1854) Blyth's Reticulated Snake 151
Genus 41. Xylophis Beddome 1878 151
Key to the species of genus Xylophis 152
156. Xylophis perroteti (Dum. & Bibr. 1854) 152
157. Xylophis stenorhynchus (Gunther 1875) 152
Genus 42. Boiga Fitzinger 1826 153
Key to the species of genus Boiga 153
158. Boiga multimaculata (Boie 1827) Large-spotted Cat Snake 154
159. Boiga ochracea (Gunther 1868) Tawny Cat Snake 155
160. Boiga trigonata (Schneider 1802) Indian Gaamma 156
161. Boiga gokool (Gray 1834) Eastern Gamma 157

(xvi)
162. Boiga ceylonensis (Gunther 1858) Ceylon Cat Snake 158
163. Boiga quincunciata (Wall 1908) Wall's Assam Cat Snake 159
164. Boiga cyanea (Dum. & Bibr. 1854) Green Cat Snake 160
165. Boiga multifasciata (Blyth 1861) Himalayan Cat Snake 160
166. Boiga cynodon (Boie 1827) Bird-eating Cat Snake 160
167. Boiga forsteni (Dum. & Bibr. 1854) Reddish Peninsular Cat Snake 161
168. Boiga dightoni (Boulenger 1894) Travancore Cat Snake 162
Genus 43. Psammophis Fitzinger 1826 163
Key to the species of genus Psammophis 163
169. Psammophis schokari (Forskal 1775) Afro-asian Sand Snake 163
170. Psammophis condanarus (Merrem 1820) Indian Sand Snake 164
171. Psammophis longifrons (Boulenger 1896) Maharashtra Sand Snake 166
172. Psammophis leithi (Gunther 1869) Pakistan Ribbon Snake 167
Genus 44. Psammodynastes Gunther 1858 168
173. Psammodynastes pulverulentus Boie 1827 Mock Viper 168
Genus 45. Ahaetidla Link 1807 170
Key to the species of genus Ahaetulla 170
174. Ahaetulla perroteti (Dum. & Bibr. 1854) Bright-green Whip Snake 171
175. Ahaetulla dispar (Gunther 1864) Bronzy-olive Whip Snake 171
176. Ahaetulla fronticinctus (Gunther 1858) Assam Bright-green Whip Snake 171
177. Ahaetulla prasinus (Boie 1827) Boie's Whip Snake 172
178. Ahaetulla nasutus (Lacepede 1789) Common Green Whip Snake 172
179. Ahaetulla pulverulentus (Dum. & Bibr. 1854) Brownish Whip Snake 174
Subfamily HOMALOPSINAE Boulenger 1890 175
Fresh Water Snakes
Key to the genera of Subfamily HOMALOPSINAE 175
Genus 46. Enhydris Sonn. & Latr. 1802 175
Key to the species of genus Enhydris , 175
180. Enhydris enhydris (Schneider 1799) 176

(xvii)
181. Enhydris dussumicri (Dum. & Bibr. 1854) 177
182. Enhydris sieboldi (Schlegel 1837) 177
Genus 47. Cerberus Cuvier 1829 177
183. Cerberus rhynchops (Schneider 1799) Dog-Faced Water Snake 178
Genus 48. Gerardia Gray 1849 179
184. Gerardia prevostiana (Eydoux & Gervais 1832-1837) Glossy Marsh Snake 179
Genus 49. Fordonia Gray 1842 179
185. Fordonia leucobalia (Schlegel 1837) , 181
Genus 50. Cantoria Girard 1857 181
186. Cantoria violacea (Girard 1857) 181
Subfamily ELACHISTODONTINAE Boulenger 1896 182
Genus 51. Elachistodon Reinhardt 1863 183
187. Elachistodon luestermanni Reinhardt i863 Indian Egg-eater 183
Family VIII. ELAPIDAE Boie 1827 184
Key to the genera of family ELAPIDAE 184
Genus 52. Bungarus Daudin 1803 185
Key to the species of genus Bungarus 185
188. Bungarus bungaroides (Cantor 1839) Assam Black Krait 186
189. Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider 1801) Banded Krait 186
190. Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider 1801) Common Indian Krait 188
191. Bungarus andamanensis Biswas & Sanyal 1977 Andaman Krait 189
192. Bungarus niger Wall 1908 Black Krait 190
193. Bungarus lividus Cantor 1839 Lesser Black Krait 190
194. Bungarus walli Wall 1907 Wall's Krait 191
Genus 53. Callophis Gray 1834 191
Coral Snakes
Key to the species of genus Callophis .: 191
195. Callophis melanurus (Shaw 1802) Slender Coral Snake , 192
196. Callophis nigrescens Gunther 1862 Elongated Coral Snake 193

N (xviii)
197. Callophis beddomei Smith 1943 194
198. Callophis macclellandi (Reinhardt 1844) Macclelland's Coral Snake 194
199. Callophis bibroni (Jan 1858) Cherry-red Coral Snake .'. 195
Genus 54. Naja Laurenti 1768 196
200a. Naja naja (Linnaeus 1758) Binoocelate Cobra 196
200b. Naja naja kaouthia Lesson 1831 Monoocelate Cobra 197
200c. Naja naja oxiana (Eichwald 1831) Oxus Cobra 197
Genus 55. Ophiophagus Gunther 1864 199
201. Ophiophagus hannah (Cantor 1831) King Cobra, Hamadryad 199
Family IX. HYDRO^HIIDAE Boie 1827 201
Key to'genera of family HYDROPHIIDAE 202
Genus 56. Laticauda Laurenti 1768 203
Key to the species of genus Laticauda 203
202. Laticauda laticaudata (Linnaeus 1758) 203
203. Laticauda colubrina (Schneider 1799) 204
Genus 57. Kerilia Gray 1849 205
204. Kerilia jerdoni Gray 1849 Jerdon's Olive Sea Snake 205
Genus 58. Praescutata Wall 1921 205
205. Praescutata viperina (Schmidt 1852) Viperine Sea Snake 206
Genus 59. Enhydrina Gray 1849 206
206. Enhydrina schistosa (Daudin 1803) Beaked Sea Snake 206
Genus 60. Hydrophis Latreille 1802 207
Key to the species of genus Hydrophis 207
207. Hydrophis nigrocinctus Daudin 1803 Olivaceous Banded Sea Snake 209
208. Hydrophis spiralis Shaw 1802 Yellow Sea Snake 209
209. Hydrophis cyanocinctus Daudin 1803 Annulated Sea Snake 210
210. Hydrophis obscurus Daudin 1803 Bluish-black Sea Snake 211
211. Hydrophis stricticollis Gunther 1864 Black-headed Greyish Sea Snake 211
212. Hydrophis ornatus ornatus (Gray 1842) Pale-greyish Sea Snake 212

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213. Hydrophis lapemoides (Gray 1849) Persian Gulf Sea Snake 212
214. Hydrophis mamillaris (Daudin 1803) Bombay Sea Snake 213
215. Hydrophis caemlescens (Shaw 1802) Many Toothed Sea Snake 213
216. Hydrophis fasciatus (Schneider 1799) Greyish-black White-bellied Sea Snake .. 214
Genus 61. Lapemis Gray 1835 214
217. Lapemis curtus (Shaw 1802) 214
Genus 62. Microcephalophis Lesson 1834 215
Key to the species of genus Microcephalophis 215
218. Microcephalophis gracilis (Shaw 1802) Common Small-headed Sea Snake 216
219. Microcephalophis cantoris (Gunther 1864) Cantor's Small-headed Sea Snake . 217
Genus 63. Pelamis Daudin 1803 217
220. Pelamis platurus (Linnaeus 1766) Yellow-bellied Sea Snake or Pelagic Sea
Snake 218
Family X. VIPERIDAE Bonaparte 1840 218
Key to the genera of family VIPERIDAE 219
Genus 64. Vipera Laurenti 1768 220
Key to the species of genus Vipera 220
221. Vipera russelli (Shaw 1797) Russell's Viper, Doboia 220
222. Vipera lebetina (Linnaeus 1758) Levatine Viper 222
Genus 65. Echis Merrem 1820 223
223. Echis carinatus (Schneider 1801) Phoorsa, Saw-scaled Viper 223
Genus 66. Agkistrodon Beauvois 1799 226
Key to the species of genus Agkistrodon 226
224. Agkistrodon himalayanus (Gunther 1864) Himalayan Pit-viper 226
Genus 67. Hypnale 227
225. Hypnale hypnale (Merrem 1820) Hump-nosed Viper 227
Genus 68. Trimeresurus Lacepede 1804 .- 228
Key to the species of genus Trimeresurus 228
226. Trimeresurus macrolepis Beddome 1862 South Indian Pit-viper 230

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227. Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus (Cantor 1839) East Indian Olive-brown
Pit-viper 230
228. Trimeresurus monticola Gunther 1864 East Himalayan Pit-viper 231
229. Trimeresurus jerdoni Gunther 1875 Greenish-yellow Pit-viper 232
230. Trimeresurus malabaricus (Jerdon 1854) Greenish Malabar Pit-viper 233
231. Trimeresurus strigatus Gray 1842 Brown Rock Pit-viper 233
232. Trimeresurus gramineus (Shaw 1802) Bamboo Pit-viper 234
233. Trimeresurus stejnegeri (Schmidt 1925) East-Himalayan Green Pit-viper 236
234. Trimeresurus popeorum Smith 1937 Smith's Green Pit-viper 236
235. Trimeresurus cdntori (Blyth 1846) Nicobar Pit-viper 236
236. Trimeresurus purpureqmaculatus (Gray & Hardwicke 1830) Andaman Pit-viper.
237. Trimeresurus erythrunis (Cantor, 1839) Naga Hill Pit-viper 237
238. Trimeresurus albolabris Gray 1842 North Indian Green Pit-viper 238
239. Trimeresurus labialis (Fitzinger 1861) Nicobar Brown Pit-viper 239
VALUE OF SNAKES 239
BIBLIOGRAPHY 254
GLOSSARY : 281
ALPHABETICAL INDEX 285
PLATES
236