Kingdom Animalia Order Squamata Family Colubridae Scientific name Elachistodon westermanni Higher classification Elachistodon | Phylum Chordata Suborder Serpentes Subfamily Colubrinae Conservation status Least Concern Rank Species | |
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Similar Snake, Dasypeltis, Reptile, Dasypeltis scabra, Colubridae | ||
The Indian egg-eating snake or Indian egg-eater (Elachistodon westermanni) is a rare species of egg-eating snake found in the Indian subcontinent. It is also called Westermann's snake, reflecting its scientific name. The snake belongs to the monotypic genus Elachistodon.
Contents
Geographic range
The Indian egg-eating snake is found in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Recent discoveries of the species come from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.
Description
This species is glossy brown to black, with bluish white flecks posteriorly and a middorsal creamy stripe from neck to tail tip. The head is brown with a black arrow mark. The ventrals are white with brown dots. Adults may attain a total length of 78 cm (31 inches), with a tail 11 cm (4¼ inches) long.
Behaviour
A nocturnal, terrestrial species that shows remarkable dexterity in scaling vegetation. When provoked, it raises the anterior portion of the body, forming ‘S’ shaped coils as a defensive strategy.
Diet
Elachistodon westermanni exclusively feeds on bird eggs that lack embryonic growth. It has special adaptations such as a vertebral hypapophysis, a projection of the backbone, that juts into the oesophagus and helps in cracking eggs. The only other snakes that share these egg-eating adaptations are in the genus Dasypeltis found in Africa.
