Recognizing Deadly Venomous Snakes from Harmless Snakes of Sri Lanka

and white. Posterior half of the head in juveniles is white. However the white
colour diminishes gradually with age.
Simple identification: Large hexagonal shaped scales running down its spine.
Scales smooth on back. They are much larger than all the other surrounding
scales.
4.4 Non venomous species that
mimic the Sri Lankan Krait
There are three harmless snakes (Sri Lankan wolf snake and two bridal snakes)
that mimic the Sri Lankan krait.
Left: Faded white cross bars in an adult. Right: Prominent white cross bars in a juvenile.
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Distribution: Wet, intermediate and rarely seen in the dry zone.
Behavior: It is a nocturnal species that is aggressive at night. Commonly
found in and around human settlements. Potentially non-aggressive in
nature, but may attack if provoked or threatened. Will roll in to a ball with its
head well concealed when agitated, and will remain still until the perceived
danger passes. They display this behavior much better than the Indian Krait.
Feeds on: Other snakes, geckoes, lizards and rodents etc.
Reproduction: They lay 6-10 eggs per clutch.
4.4.1 Cercaspis carinata
Sri Lanka wolf snake (E); Dhara radankaya (S)
Toxicity: Non venomous
Size: 65 cm
An adult specimen.
Colouration: Head jet black and shiny, the body is black with white cross bars.
These cross bars are prominent in juveniles/young and as they become adults the
lines gradually disappear or become reduced to scattered cross bars. Ventral or
the underside is black or alternately black and white. Posterior half of the head
in juveniles is white and gradually diminishes with age.