Erynx conicus

Scales 40-55 in rows. Ventrals 162-196. Subcaudals 16-24.

DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERES

Head: 

12-14 supralabials; 10-15 scales round the eyes.

Dorsal: 

Keeled scales with 40-55 rows.

Ventral: 

162-196; narrow; anal tripartite or pentapartite (with largest scale in the middle guarded by one or two scales on each side).

Sub Caudal:

16-24; undivided.

REPRODUCTION:

Reproduction viviparous. Female directly gives birth to 5-14 young during post summer to monsoon months.

SIZE

 Average length- 60cm

Maximum length- 100cm

MORPHOLOGY:

Dorsal body:

Body short and very thick; highly keeled scales (mainly in head and posterior body) found in all over the body with smoother scales on side dorsal rows. Body full of irregular patches of dark color which are usually continuous.  Apart from these, smaller Irregular shaped and discontinuous patches also present on side. Ground color light brown, white or yellow which is always lighter than color of patches.

Ventral body:

Belly scales much narrower like typical burrowers. Color generally yellowish-white with or without dark patches. Subcaudal scales unpaired.

Head:

Head small and not very distinct from neck; covered with highly keeled small scales. Underside also covered with small scales and mental groove absent. Eyes small with vertical pupil.

Tail:

Tail very short, thick and covered with highly keeled scales of dry appearance; ends with pointed tip.

Looks like Russell's viper (Daboia russelii), Saw Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus), Whitakers Boa (Eryx whitakeri)

BEHAVIOUR

Activity nocturnal and burrowing. Can be seen at day time while foraging and preying. Spend most of the life as a burrower. Locomotion very slow and lethargic. Behaviour usually non-offensive and try to escape first. Makes a robust coil to hide its head in defence. In aggressive mood it flattens whole body and throws it into open coil with head ready to strike. Unlike its normally slow behaviour, it strikes in surprisingly quick way and can give painful bite if successfully get body part of enemy. Feeds mainly on rodents, small mammals. Also feeds on other snakes, small birds, geckos etc.

VENOMOSITY
Harmless

GENERAL HABITAT

Habitat includes agricultural lands, gardens, and unused lands having sandy soil, deep cracks and rat holes. Hides in cracks, mounds, rat holes, brick piles, rock piles etc.