Spalerosophis atriceps

Spalerosophis atriceps
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Spalerosophis
Species:	S. atriceps
Binomial name
	Spalerosophis atriceps; (Fischer, 1885)
Synonyms
	Zamenis diadema var. atriceps; Fischer, 1885; Spalerosophis atriceps; — Minton, 1966;

Last updated October 06, 2025

Spalerosophis atriceps, the Black headed royal snake or Fischer's royal snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.

Geographic range

S. atriceps is found in northwestern India, Nepal, and Pakistan.^[2]

The type locality given in the original description is "Himalaya ".^[2]

Habitat

The preferred habitats of S. atriceps are deserts, rocky areas, and scrub forest.^[3]

Description

S. atriceps may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 2 m (6.6 ft). Dorsally, it is pale orange, pink, or yellow, with scattered black flecks. The dorsal surface of the head is either entirely black or black and deep red. The sides of the head and the nape of the neck are deep red. Ventrally, it is pinkish.^[3]

Behavior

S. atriceps is nocturnal.^[3]

Reproduction

S. atriceps is oviparous. In India, the adult female lays a clutch of 3 to 8 eggs in October. The eggs are 56–78 mm (2.2–3.1 in) long by 16–27 mm (0.63–1.06 in) wide.^[3]

References

↑ Srinivasulu, C. (2021). "Spalerosophis atriceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021 e.T20878735A20878743. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T20878735A20878743.en . Retrieved 9 July 2023.
1 2 3 Species Spalerosophis atriceps at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
1 2 3 4 Das I (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. (Spalerosophis atriceps, p. 46).

Fischer JG (1885). "Herpetologische Bemerkungen ". Jahrbuch der Hamburgischen Wissenschaftlichen Anstalten2: 82–121. (Zamenis diadema Var. atriceps, new variety, pp. 102–103). (in German).
Minton SA Jr (1966). "A contribution to the herpetology of West Pakistan". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History134: 29–184. (Spalerosophis atriceps, new combination, pp. 124–126).
Smith MA (1943). The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, Including the Whole of the Indo-Chinese Sub-region. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. III.—Serpentes. London: Secretary of State for India. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 583 pp. (Coluber diadema atriceps, pp. 174–175).
Whitaker R, Captain A (2007). Snakes of India: The Field Guide. Chennai: Draco Books. 495 pp. ISBN 978-8190187305.

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[iucn-1] Srinivasulu, C. (2021). "Spalerosophis atriceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021 e.T20878735A20878743. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T20878735A20878743.en . Retrieved 9 July 2023.

[RDB-2] 1 2 3 Species Spalerosophis atriceps at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.

[Das2002-3] 1 2 3 4 Das I (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. (Spalerosophis atriceps, p. 46).

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