snake2

These are the most primitive and the most diminutive of the Sri Lankan snakes. Ten species are on record out of which all but Ramphotyphlops braminus and Typhlops porrectus are endemic to the country. They reach a maximum length of ca. 150 mm and the heads are evenly rounded. Typlopid snakes are highly adapted to a fossorial lifestyle by having highly 'polished' scales; eyes beneath scales for protection and degenerate bodies. All are non-venomous and inhabits loose soil, leaflitter etc. Ramphotyphlops braminus is the only snake in the world known to reproduce by parthenogenesis. Several new species belonging to this family have being discovered and await description.

Family Uropeltidae (Shield-tailed snakes)

These are primitive fossorial snakes which have no hindlimb vestiges and eye-covering spectacles. Their name "shield-tailed snakes" is derived from the Greek words ura = tail and pelte = shield, indicating the presence of a large keratinous shield at the tip of the short tail, which differs among genera. They inhabit loose soil and the sharp snout is used for burrowing. Sri Lanka harbors 14 uropeltids, out of which 13 are endemic at species level and the other is endemic at subspecies level. They include the relict Large shield snake (Pseudotyphlops philippinus). Despite their high endemicity, only very few studied have been conducted on these snakes in the country, and agricultural practices are one of the main threats to there fossorial species. Platyplecturus madurensis ruhunae, Rhinophis porrectus and Uropeltis ruhunae are only known from the type specimens.

Family Cylindrophiidae (Pipe snakes)

These are the most primitive group of living snakes and were earlier assigned to the family Aniliidae and subsequently Uropeltidae. They possess hindlimb vestiges and conical tails. The head is dorso-ventrally flattened and laterally wedge-shaped. The minute eye is covered with a transparent shield called the ‘brille’. Most are brightly coloured. They inhabit loose soil and the flat snout is used for burrowing. Sri Lanka harbors only the spectacular Sri Lankan Pipe snake (Cylindrophis maculata).