Kingdom Animalia Suborder Serpentes Family Uropeltidae Scientific name Plectrurus perrotetii Higher classification Plectrurus Order Scaled reptiles | Subphylum Vertebrata Infraorder Alethinophidia Genus Plectrurus Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Plectrurus, Plectrurus guentheri, Scaled reptiles, Uropeltis pulneyensis, Rhinophis sanguineus | ||
Plectrurus perrotetii, commonly known as the Nilgiri burrowing snake or Perrotet's shieldtail, is a species of harmless uropeltid snake endemic to India.
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Etymology
The specific name, perrotetii or perroteti, is in honour of French naturalist Gustave Samuel Perrotet (1793–1867).
Geographic range
P. perrotetii is found in the Western Ghats and hills of southern India.
Description
P. perrotetii is a small snake, growing to a maximum of 44 cm (17 1⁄4 in) in total length (including tail). The head is pointed, and the tail is blunt. It has smooth, glossy scales and is brown in colour.
Biology
Like the common worm snake, Ramphotyphlops braminus, Plectrurus perrotetii is also often mistaken for earthworms, upon which it feeds. It is considered an endangered species, and little else is known about this snake.