Boiga ceylonensis


Boiga ceylonensis is a species of rear-fanged, mildly-venomous, nocturnal, arboreal colubrid snake endemic to Sri Lanka.

Description

This is a thin-bodied, elongate, slim, tree snake. Taxonomic features: Dorsal Scales in 19 rows, oblique ; scales along the vertebral row much enlarged, and at mid body nearly as broad as long. Ventrals scales 217-237; the anals are undivided, subcaudals 95-109. The colour is brown or greyish above, with a series of blackish transverse cross bands ; nape with a blackish blotch, or three blackish longitudinal streaks, or a transverse bar ; a more or less distinct brown crown marking on top of head and a thick streak from the eye to the angle of the mouth ; lower parts yellowish, dotted with brown, usually with a lateral series of small brown dots. They are about 4 feet long from tip to tip with the tail 10 inches.

Distribution Range

They are found only in the island nation of Sri Lanka. Previously believed to occur in the Western Ghats of India, but was falsified by recent studies.

Interaction with humans

This snake frequently ventures into human dwellings in search of prey such as gecko. It has somewhat aggressive disposition and boldly strikes out when disturbed or cornered. This snake is known as Nidi mapila by the Sinhala speaking community of Sri Lanka.