Rhinophis siruvaniensis Species, Key Facts, Distribution, Latest News

Q: What is Rhinophis siruvaniensis?

It is a new species of shieldtail snake.

Q: In which region was Rhinophis siruvaniensis discovered?

It was discovered in Siruvani Hills, located in the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Q: What is the characteristic feature of shieldtail snakes that gives them their name?

They’ve been named shieldtails because the tip of their tails looks like a disc-shaped shield.

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Rhinophis siruvaniensis Latest News

A new shieldtail species, Rhinophis siruvaniensis, has been described with the help of citizen scientists after it was found recently in the Siruvani Hills which fall in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

About Rhinophis siruvaniensis

It is a new species of shieldtail snake.
It was discovered in Siruvani Hills, located in the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
A shiny snake, R. siruvaniensis is brownish black and creamy white in colour, with bold dark blotches.
The tip of its tail is dome-shaped.

Key Facts about Shieldtail Snakes

Shieldtails are a group of small-sized, non-venomous snakes that burrow in the soil and mostly live underground.
They belong to the Uropeltidae family of snakes and are also called uropeltids.
They’ve been named shieldtails because the tip of their tails looks like a disc-shaped shield.
Distribution:
- They are endemic to India & Sri Lanka.
- In India, they are found in the Western Ghats and some parts of Peninsular India.

Source: MB

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Rhinophis siruvaniensis FAQs

Q1. What is Rhinophis siruvaniensis? +

Q2. In which region was Rhinophis siruvaniensis discovered?+

Q3. Shieldtail snakes are primarily found in which countries?+

Q4. What is the characteristic feature of shieldtail snakes that gives them their name?+

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