Wood-Mason's earth snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Uropeltis woodmasoni |
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Uropeltis
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woodmasoni
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Uropeltis woodmasoni, also known as Wood-Mason's earth snake, is a special kind of snake. It belongs to the Uropeltidae family, which are often called "earth snakes." This snake is found only in India.
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What's in a Name?
The snake's scientific name, woodmasoni, honors an English animal expert named James Wood-Mason. He was a zoologist who studied animals.
Where It Lives
Uropeltis woodmasoni lives in southern India. You can find it in places like the Anamalai Hills, Palni Hills, and Nilgiris. It also lives in areas historically known as Travancore and Tinnevelly.
Preferred Home
This snake likes to live in forests. It prefers higher places, usually between 1,800 and 2,000 meters (about 5,900 to 6,500 feet) above sea level.
What It Looks Like
The Wood-Mason's earth snake has a dark body. Its back is usually blackish or a dark violet color. It often has small, round yellow spots or circles across its back.
There are also larger yellow spots along its sides. These side spots might even connect to form a stripe. The snake's belly is also dark, either blackish or dark violet.
Size and Scales
Adult snakes can grow up to 28 centimeters (about 11 inches) long. This measurement includes their tail.
Their skin is smooth. They have 19 rows of scales around the middle of their body. They also have 163 to 178 scales on their belly. The scales under their tail number between 6 and 11.
Head Features
The snake has a pointed snout. The part of its nose scale that you can see from above is longer than the distance to its forehead scale. Its eyes are small. The eye's size is a little less than half the length of the shield-like scale around it.
The tail of this snake is rounded. The scales on its tail have strong ridges. The very end of its tail has a special scale with two small points.
Reproduction
Uropeltis woodmasoni is a viviparous snake. This means that the mother snake gives birth to live young. The babies develop inside her body, similar to how mammals are born.
About Its Scientific Name
For a while, this snake had a different scientific name, Silybura melanogaster. However, that name was already used for another snake, Uropeltis melanogaster. To avoid confusion, the name woodmasoni was chosen in 1966. This made sure each snake had its own unique scientific name.
