Scientific name Rhabdops olivaceus Higher classification Rhabdops Order Scaled reptiles | Suborder Serpentes Genus Rhabdops Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
Similar Scaled reptiles, Xylophis, Amphiesma, Xenochrophis, Rhabdophis subminiatus | ||
Olive Forest Snake Rhabdops olivaceus is a rare and little-known non-venomous snake endemic to the Western Ghats of India. This species is found in damp steamsides within rainforests and is distributed from Wayanad of north Kerala till Pune of northern Maharashtra. It is a docile, placid snake and is said to be semi-aquatic, feeding on small, soft bodied animals. In habits it is more frequently seen during the rains, both day or night time.
Its taxonomic affinities remain enigmatic, often shifting between Xenodermatines and Natricines; and still await a proper placement.
References
Rhabdops olivaceus Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA