Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Higher classification Trachischium | |
Similar Trachischium, Snake, Reptile, Trachischium monticola, Trachischium tenuiceps | ||
Trachischium guentheri, commonly known as the rosebelly worm-eating snake or Günther's Oriental slender snake, is a species of colubrid snake, which is endemic to Asia.
Contents
Etymology
The epithet, guentheri, honors Albert Günther (1830–1914), German-born zoologist at the British Museum (Natural History).
Geographic range
T. guentheri is found in India (Sikkim, West Bengal), Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Description
The rosebelly worm-eating snake does have a rose-colored belly when alive. However, specimens preserved in alcohol are dark brown dorsally, with indistinct lighter and darker longitudinal streaks; and are yellowish ventrally, either uniform or scantily mottled with brown.
The dorsal scales are arranged in 13 rows and are smooth, except that the males have keeled dorsal scales in the anal/basicaudal region. The ventrals are 134-138; the anal plate is divided; and the subcaudals, which are also divided, number 34-39.
Adults may attain 28 cm (11 inches) in total length, with a tail 3.5 cm (1⅜ inches) long.