Uropeltis ocellata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Uropeltis ocellata |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Uropeltis
|
| Species: |
ocellata
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Uropeltis ocellata is a special type of snake. People also call it the ocellated earth snake or ocellated shieldtail. It is a non-venomous snake, meaning it is not harmful. This snake belongs to a group called the Uropeltidae family. You can find it living only in southern India. There are no different types or subspecies of this snake known.
Contents
About the Ocellated Earth Snake
This snake was first described by Richard Henry Beddome in 1864. He noted many interesting features about it.
What the Snake Looks Like
The Uropeltis ocellata has a pointed snout. Its nose scales meet behind the snout. The snake's eye is very small and hard to see. It is located in front of a special shield-like scale.
The scales around its neck are in 18 rows. Around its body, they are in 17 rows. The tail end is not very clear. The scales on its tail have 2 to 5 small ridges. The very end of the tail might be smooth or have 2 to 3 small points.
It has about 199 belly scales. There are 8 to 10 pairs of scales under its tail. Some of these tail scales are single.
Snake Colors and Patterns
Male snakes are usually yellowish. They become brown near their head and tail. Female snakes are a dull brownish color. Young snakes are dark purplish-brown.
All these snakes have bands of spots across their bodies. These spots look like eyes and are white or yellow. They often have black edges. The spots are usually placed in a slightly uneven way. The sides of their belly have yellow or white blotches. These blotches are very unevenly shaped. They rarely meet across the belly to form a full band.
Size of the Snake
The snout is about one-quarter the length of its head. The part of the snout you can see from above is longer than its distance from the main head scale. The main head scale is usually longer than it is wide.
The snake's body is quite thin. Its width is about 30 to 46 times smaller than its total length. The belly scales are about twice as big as the scales next to them. Its tail is either rounded or a little flat. The longest snake measured by George Albert Boulenger was about 50 cm (19+5⁄8 in) long.
Where the Snake Lives
The Uropeltis ocellata lives in southern India. It can be found in the Western Ghats mountain range. This includes areas like the Anaimalai Hills, Cardamom Hills in southern Kerala, Munnar Hills, Nilgiri Hills, and Trivandrum.
The first place this snake was found was "at Walaghat on the western slopes of the Neilgherries." This area is in dense forests at an elevation of about 3,500 feet (1,100 m).
Snake Habitat
This snake prefers to live in forests. It can be found at different heights, from about 600–2,000 m (2,000–6,600 ft) above sea level.
Snake Behaviour
The Uropeltis ocellata is a terrestrial snake. This means it lives on the ground. It is also fossorial, which means it spends a lot of its time burrowing and living underground.
What the Snake Eats
The Uropeltis ocellata mainly eats earthworms. It is a predator of these small creatures.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The Uropeltis ocellata is ovoviviparous. This means that the mother snake keeps the eggs inside her body. The eggs hatch inside, and then live young snakes are born. Adult female snakes have been seen carrying babies in July.
