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Striated Wolf SnakeLycodon striatushas thesame distribution asL.
aulicusin Maharashtra.Lycodon flavomaculatusis a rare species known
only from a few localities.
The genusSibynophisis represented by a single
speciesSibynophissubpunctatusa small, light brown, black-spotted snake.
The Keelbacks snakes (from the raised keel like structure on thescales) are
found in or near water. The Checkered KeelbackXeno-chrophis piscatoris
one of the commonest snakes of the plains and lowhills. Dorsally
yellowish or olivaceous with black spots, whitish oryellowish below. It
feeds on frogs and fishes. Length up to 1.3 metre.An equally if not more
common species is the Buffstriped KeelbackAmphiesmastolata. An olive
green or yellowish brown slender snakebarred or spotted with black above
and with a buff or yellow stripe alongthe flanks. Margins of scales pale
blue, a colour seen only when thesnake is excited and flattens its body.
Length up to a metre. Feeds onfrogs and toads.Amphiesma beddomei,a
hill species, is confined tothe Western Ghats between 3,000 and 7,000 feet
and occurs fromMahableshwar southwards. Another species that may
occur in the StateisNatrix monticolaa comparatively rare species recorded
from Talevadito Travancore.
The Green Keelback,Macropisthodon plumbicoloris bright grassgreen
above. Juveniles have two black V-shaped marks on the neckwhich is
bright yellow or orange in between. The markings disappearwith age A
timid snake, it has the habit of flattening its body whenalarmed. Feeds
mainly on toads. Length 75 cm. Another specieslikely to occur in southwest
Maharashtra isRhabdops olivaceusbut noinformation is available on
its habits. Olive or yellow brown abovewith four series of black spots.
The genusBoiga,Catsnakes, as they are commonly known fromtheir
vertical pupil and nocturnal habits are represented by three species.All
have grooved teeth (fangs) at the back of the mouth and aremildly
poisonous. The Indian GammaBoiga trigonatais widelydistributed in the
Indian region. In colour, yellowish or grey brownabove with a vertebral
series of V-shaped black-edged spots. Arborealit feeds largely on birds and
tree lizards. Length up to a metre.An intrepid snake it assumes an attitude
FAUNA 635