Lycodon aulicus

A medium size snake having brown body and yellowish bands. This is one of the most common species found in and around human habitation including exclusive urban areas. Also this is the most widely distributed Lycodon species in Indian subcontinent. Due to bands on its dark color body layman often gets confused with Common Krait and tries to threat it. At heights inside houses it can be seen occasionally while feeding on geckos.

Scales in 17:17:15 rows. Entrals 172-214, strongly angulate laterally, anal divided. Subcaudals 57-80, paired.

DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERES

Head:

9 supralabials; 3rd to 5th in contact with eyes; 1 preocular; 1 loreal, in good contact with internasals; 2 post ocular; 2 temporal 2+2 or 2+3.

Dorsal:

Smooth scales with 17: 17: 15 rows, with single apical pit on each scale.

Ventral:

172-214; angulate laterally; anal divided.

Sub Caudal:

57-80; paired.

REPRODUCTION

Oviparous, Mating begins with starting of summer and extends to monsoon. Assumed to be capable of breeding most of the year depending upon geographical region. Female lays up to 7 eggs in cracks, small mounds, under the rocks and dark places at heights. New born mostly seen during whole monsoon to mid winters.

SIZE

New born- 14cm.
Average length- 50cm.
Maximum length- 84cm.

MORPHOLOGY

Dorsal:

Body slender with smooth & shiny scales of brown or brown mixed with grayish or reddish color. Yellow or yellowish-white bands present on whole dorsal body starting from neck and become faint on tail region; rarely absent entirely. Bands are narrow on the top of dorsal and become wider on side. Juveniles have prominent collar on neck which becomes narrow in adults. Number of bands varies between 10 to 25.

Ventral:

Belly glossy white without any pattern. Subcaudal scales paired in zig-zag manner.

Head:

Head flattened, broader than neck and covered with smooth and glossy scales. Whitish or yellow color collar exist in widely distributed form of this species. Eyes entirely black in appearance with vertically elliptical pupil. Tongue color pinkish-red.

Tail:

Covered with smooth scales with or without bands. Length normal as typical range with pointed tip.

Looks like Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Travancore Wolf Snake (Lycodon travancoricus), Yellow Collared Wolf Snake (Lycodonflavicollis), Common Bridal Snake (Dryocalamus nympha), Scarce Bridal Snake (Dryocalamus gracilis).

ECOLOGY

Due to bands on its dark color body layman often gets confused with Common Krait and tries to threat it. At heights inside houses it can be seen occasionally while feeding on geckos.

BEHAVIOUR

Common Wolf Snake is a nocturnal species which shows activity both on ground and heights of rocks. Behavior shy, alert and more aggressive than other Wolf Snakes (Lycodon). On provocation initially try to escape; later it makes coil or ball of whole body to hide its head under it. In aggressive mood it throws whole body into loose coil on ground and tries to bite. Also repeatedly bites on handling. 

Feeds mainly on geckos; also feed on rodents and skinks.

TROPHIC STRATEGY

Feeds mainly on geckos; also feed on rodents and skinks.

VENOMOSITY (SNAKES)

Harmless

GENERAL HABITAT

Remain hidden in narrow cracks or under heavy objects during day time. Found in variety of forest covers including rainforest, dry and mixed deciduous forests, scrub lands. Lives mainly in rocky terrain, lands having cracks, human habitation etc. This is one of the most adapted snake species which is confined in modified habitats. Prefers heights and dry surrounding for foraging and hiding as its most preferred diet is Geckos. Juveniles occasionally seen under the rock laid on the ground.