Rosebelly worm-eating snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rosebelly worm-eating snake |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Trachischium
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| Species: |
guentheri
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The rosebelly worm-eating snake is a cool snake also known as Günther's worm-eating snake. Its scientific name is Trachischium guentheri. This snake is a type of colubrid snake. It is special because it only lives in certain parts of Asia.
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Why is it Called Günther's Snake?
The second part of its scientific name, guentheri, is a tribute. It honors a famous zoologist named Albert Günther. He was born in Germany and worked at the British Museum. He studied animals, especially snakes, a long time ago.
Where Does This Snake Live?
The rosebelly worm-eating snake lives in Asia. You can find it in countries like India. Specifically, it lives in areas such as Sikkim and West Bengal in India. It also lives in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
What is Its Home Like?
This snake prefers to live in forests. It likes places with rocky slopes. You can usually find it at high altitudes. It lives about 1,800 meters (about 5,900 feet) above sea level.
What Does This Snake Look Like?
When the rosebelly worm-eating snake is alive, its belly is a beautiful rose color! However, if you see a snake that has been preserved, it looks different. Preserved snakes are dark brown on their backs. They might have faint lighter or darker stripes. Their bellies are usually yellowish. Sometimes, the belly might have a few brown spots.
This snake has smooth scales on its back. These scales are usually in 13 rows. Male snakes have slightly different scales near their tail. Their scales in that area are ridged, which is called "keeled."
The snake also has special scales on its belly. There are usually 134 to 138 of these belly scales. The scale right before the tail, called the anal plate, is split into two parts. The scales under its tail, called subcaudals, are also split. There are usually 34 to 39 of these tail scales.
Adult snakes can grow to be about 28 centimeters (about 11 inches) long. Their tails are quite short, usually around 3.5 centimeters (about 1.4 inches) long.
How Does This Snake Behave?
The rosebelly worm-eating snake spends most of its time on the ground. This is called being "terrestrial." It is also "semi-fossorial." This means it spends some of its time burrowing or digging in the soil. It likes to hide underground or under rocks.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The rosebelly worm-eating snake lays eggs. This means it is "oviparous." A female snake can lay up to four eggs at one time. Sometimes, many female snakes lay their eggs in the same spot. This is called a communal egg-laying site. These sites can hold many eggs, sometimes as many as 130!
