| Lycodon striatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lycodon striatus from Maharashtra | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Lycodon |
| Species: | L. striatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lycodon striatus (Shaw, 1802) | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Lycodon striatus, commonly known as the northern wolf snake or the barred wolf snake, [2] is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake from southern Asia.
Lycodon striatus is found in Afghanistan, India (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh), eastern and north-eastern Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, western Tajikistan, southern Turkmenistan (Kopet Dagh) and Uzbekistan. [3]
Lycodon striatus is dark brown or black above, with white transverse spots or crossbands, which are widely separated anteriorly. The sides are lineolated with white, with a black spot corresponding to each white crossband. The upper lip and ventrum are uniform white (coloration in alcohol). The longest adult known to George Albert Boulenger in 1893 was 43 centimetres (17 in) in total length, with a tail 7.5 cm (3.0 in) long. [1]
The head is only slightly distinct from the neck, and the snout is flattened. There are 8 upper labials, the first and second contacting the nasal scale. [2]
Lycodon striatus was first described in 1802 by George Shaw, as Coluber striatus; its type locality was "Vizagapatam and Hyderabad". Two subspecies are recognised, including the nominate race: [3]
Lycodon striatus prefers dry regions such as semideserts and forest edges. [2] Snakes of this species are nocturnal. By day they hide under stones, but after dark they emerge to hunt. [2] Lycodon striatus feeds on skinks, geckos and other small lizards. [2]
Adult females lay eggs in April (in India). Clutch size is small, at only 2–4 eggs, and the egg size is relatively large – 25–30 millimetres (1.0–1.2 in) long by 9–12 mm (0.35–0.47 in) wide. Parental care of the eggs has been observed. [2]
The banded racer is a species of colubrid snake.
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Boiga forsteni, also known commonly as Forsten's cat snake, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
Lycodon gammiei, commonly known as Gammie's wolf snake, is a species of nonvenomous colubrid endemic to northern India.
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Lycodon jara, commonly known as the twin-spotted wolf snake, is a species of colubrid snake. It is endemic to Asia.
Lycodon travancoricus, commonly known as the Travancore wolf snake, is a species of colubrid snake endemic to south India.
Liopeltis rappi is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
Lycodon fasciatus, commonly known as the banded wolf snake, is a species of colubrid snake.
Lycodon laoensis, commonly known as the Laotian wolf snake, is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to Asia.
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The checkered keelback, also known commonly as the Asiatic water snake, is a common species in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia. It is non-venomous.
Sibynophis collaris, commonly known as the common many-toothed snake,Betty's many toothed snake or the collared black-headed snake, is a species of colubrid snake endemic to South and East Asia.
Hydrophis caerulescens, commonly known as the dwarf sea snake, is a species of venomous sea snake in the family Elapidae.
Lycodon is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly known as wolf snakes. The Neo-Latin name Lycodon is derived from the Greek words λύκος (lykos) meaning wolf and οδόν (odon) meaning tooth, and refers to the fang-like anterior maxillary and mandibular teeth. They are nonvenomous, but many members of this genus strongly resemble the venomous kraits in appearance, an example of Batesian mimicry.
Lycodon anamallensis, also known commonly as the Russell's wolf Snake or southern Wolf snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
Blanford's bridle snake, also known commonly as Blanford's bridal snake, is a species of harmless snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia. Blanford's bridle snake is so named because its slim body resembles the bridle used to control horses.
