Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Scientific name Uropeltis petersi Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Family Uropeltidae Higher classification Uropeltis | |
Similar Uropeltis pulneyensis, Uropeltis, Plectrurus guentheri | ||
Uropeltis petersi, commonly known as the shieldtail earth snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Uropeltidae. It is endemic to India.
Contents
Geographic range
It is found in southern India in the Anaimalai Hills (4,000-5,000 feet).
Type locality: "Anamallays, 4000 feet".
Etymology
The specific name, petersi, is in honor of Wilhelm Peters (1815–1883), a German herpetologist.
Description
Dorsum uniformly brown, or brown with yellowish dots. Ventrum with irregular yellowish spots.
Total length 19 cm (7 1⁄2 in).
Smooth dorsal scales arranged in 17 rows at midbody, in 19 rows behind the head. Ventrals 151-180; subcaudals 6-11.
Snout obtusely pointed. Rostral slightly less than ¼ the length of the shielded part of the head. Portion of the rostral visible from above shorter than its distance from the frontal. Nasals in contact with each other behind the rostral. Frontal longer than broad. Eye small, its diameter less than ½ the length of the ocular shield. Diameter of body 25 to 33 times in the total length. Ventrals about two times as large as the contiguous scales. Tail round or slightly laterally compressed, the terminal dorsal scales distinctly pluricarinate. Terminal scute with a transverse ridge, but without points.