Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata Scientific name Rhinophis philippinus | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Serpentes Rank Species | |
Similar Rhinophis, Rhinophis sanguineus, Plectrurus | ||
Rhinophis philippinus, or Peter's earth snake, is a species of snake in the Uropeltidae family. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.
Description
Brown dorsally and ventrally, each scale with a lighter margin. Some specimens have a yellowish blotch near the head or on the anal region.
Total length 27 cm (10 3⁄4 in).
Dorsal scales arranged in 17 rows at midbody (in 19 rows behind the head). Ventrals 153-172; subcaudals 3-6.
Snout acutely pointed. Rostral obtusely keeled above, about 2/5 the length of the shielded part of the head. Nasals separated by the rostral. Eye in the ocular shield. No supraoculars. Frontal usually longer than broad. No temporals. No mental groove. Diameter of body 24 to 34 times in the total length. Ventrals only slightly larger than the contiguous scales. Tail ending in a large convex rugose shield, which is neither truncated nor spinose at the end. Caudal disc about as long as the shielded part of the head.