Platyceps gracilis

Platyceps gracilis, commonly known as the graceful racer or slender racer,^[2][3] is a species of snake endemic to West India.^[1][2]

Platyceps gracilis
Lower photo: Dr. Raju Kasambe, BNHS Conservation Education Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai, India.
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Platyceps
Species:	P. gracilis
Binomial name
Platyceps gracilis (Günther, 1862)
Synonyms[2]
Zamenis gracilis Günther, 1862 Tyria gracilis — Cope, 1862 Coluber gracilis — M.A. Smith, 1943 Argyrogena gracilis — Sharma, 2004 Platyceps gracilis — Wallach et al., 2014

Description

See snake scales for terms used

Snout is obtuse; rostral nearly as deep as broad, just visible from above; suture between the internasals a little shorter than that between the prefrontals; frontal slightly longer than its distance from the end of the snout, nearly as long as the occipitals; loreal nearly as deep as long; one preocular, with a small subocular below 3 two postoculars ; temporals 2+2; 9 upper labials, fifth and sixth entering the eye; 4 or 5 lower labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields; posterior chin-shields as long as or longer than the anterior, separated anteriorly by two scales. Scales smooth, in 21 rows. Ventrals ungulate laterally, 213–228; anal divided; subcaudals 118–121. Yellowish above, with a series of large round brown spots edged with black, separated by narrow interspaces; these spots become more indistinct on the posterior part of the body; a black cross-band on the snout and three angular dark brown black-edged bands on the head, the anterior between the eye, the posterior extending on to the nape; lower parts yellowish, with an irregular series of black spots on each side. Total length 33 inches; tail 10.^[4]

Distribution

P. gracilis is endemic to the West of India, and has been sighted in the states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. According to observations documented via iNaturalist,^[5] the species has been seen in the areas of Dhalewadi, Dhule, Kondhur, Matheran, Mumbai, Pune and Thane (Kalwa) in Maharashtra;^[5] in Rajasthan, it is known from Chittorgarh and Udaipur.^[1][2][5]