Phipson's earth snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Uropeltis phipsonii |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Uropeltis phipsonii photographed at Mulshi, Pune, India |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Uropeltis
|
| Species: |
phipsonii
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Uropeltis phipsonii, also known as Phipson's earth snake or Phipson's shieldtail, is a type of snake. It belongs to a group of snakes called Uropeltidae. This snake is special because it is endemic to India, meaning it is found only there and nowhere else in the world.
Contents
What's in a Name?
How Phipson's Snake Got Its Name
This snake's scientific name, phipsonii, and its common names honor a British naturalist named Herbert Musgrave Phipson. He was one of the people who helped start the Bombay Natural History Society, an important group that studies nature.
Where Does It Live?
Geographic Range of Phipson's Earth Snake
You can find U. phipsonii in the Western Ghats mountain range in India. It has been seen in different places around Maharashtra, including hills near the cities of Mumbai and Pune.
Natural Home of the Shieldtail Snake
Phipson's earth snake loves to live in forests. It prefers areas that are between 400 and 700 meters (about 1,300 to 2,300 feet) above sea level.
What Does It Look Like?
Physical Features of Uropeltis phipsonii
This snake has a body shaped like a cylinder, and its scales are very smooth. Its head is a bit narrower than its neck. The tail is quite short and looks like it was cut at an angle at the end. There is a wide yellow stripe on each side of its tail.
The U. phipsonii is usually brown, both on its back and its belly. Sometimes it might have small yellowish dots. It also has a short yellow line on each side of its head, starting near the corner of its mouth. A yellow bar crosses its belly near the tail, connecting the yellow stripes on the sides of its tail.
Adult Phipson's earth snakes can grow up to 28 centimeters (about 11 inches) long, including their tail.
How Does It Behave?
Daily Life of the Phipson's Shieldtail
We don't know a lot about how U. phipsonii behaves. It spends most of its life underground, as it is a burrowing snake. You might see it above ground after heavy rains. It is known to be a very calm and gentle snake.
What Does It Eat?
Diet of the Earth Snake
The U. phipsonii mainly eats earthworms. It uses its burrowing skills to find them underground.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
How Phipson's Earth Snake Reproduces
The U. phipsonii is ovoviviparous. This means that the mother snake keeps the eggs inside her body until they hatch. The babies are born live, rather than hatching from eggs laid outside the body.
Threats to Survival
Who Are the Predators of Uropeltis phipsonii?
Like many animals, U. phipsonii faces dangers from predators. Some animals that hunt and eat these snakes include birds and wild boar.
Images for kids
-
Uropeltis phipsonii photographed at Mulshi, Pune, India
