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Synonymy: Described a number of times as Chersydrus granulatus

Characteristics: A peculiar brown coloured snake with fawn or buff coloured transverse stripes. It possesses unmistakable small wart like scales which give it a prickly sandpaper like appearance. The function of these scales are unknown. Behaviour: Inoffensive, docile and diurnal. Makes no attempt to bite even if handled with impunity by fishermen. If captured begins to wiggle violently in order to break free. A strong swimmer but very sluggish on land.

Food: Feeds exclusively on fish. Little is known of its hunting behaviour and often ends up hooked on anglers lines.

Breeding: Little is known about its breeding habits. It is viviparous and the brood varies from 6 to 12. The young are usually born in August.

Growth: Neonates measure around 330mm and reach maturity when 70cm long. Maximum length is around 125cm.

Venom: Non venomous.

Identification: This snake can easily be identified by its unique knobby scales which give it a rough and harsh appearence. It also does not have large shields on top of its head.

Lepidosis:

• The head of this snake is covered with uniform granulated knobby scales.
• The costals of this snake are similar in form and arrange into between 50 and 70 rows.

Dentition: Maxillary: 13 to 15 Palatine: 7 to 8 Pterygoid: 6 to 8 Mandibular: 14 Distribution: A very widely distributed snake. Can be found in South Asia, South East Asia, Australasia and few Pacific islands.

Fairly common near river estuaries of the South West of the island, rare elsewhere. May venture for up to 5km out to sea.

References:

WALL, Frank: Snakes of Ceylon (1921)

Acknowledgements:

Photographs from EMBL Reptile Database (Top Photo: John Fowler Bottom Photo: Ashok Captain)