Rhinophis saffragamus

Rhinophis saffragamus, the large shieldtail snake, is a species of snake in the family Uropeltidae, which is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Rhinophis saffragamus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Uropeltidae
Genus:	Rhinophis
Species:	R. saffragamus
Binomial name
Rhinophis saffragamus (Kelaart, 1853)
Synonyms
Pseudotyphlops Schlegel, 1839 Pseudotyphlops - M.A. Smith, 1943 Uropeltis philippinus Cuvier, 1829 (nomen nudum) Uropeltis philippina - Wagler, 1830 (nomen nudum) Uropeltis philippinus - J.P. Müller, 1832 Uropeltis philippinus - Eydoux & Gervais, 1837 Pseudotyphlops philippinus - Schlegel, 1839 Uropeltis saffragamus Kelaart, 1853 Uropeltis grandis Kelaart, 1853 Uropeltis pardalis Kelaart, 1853 Uropeltis grandis - Boulenger, 1893 Pseudotyphlops philippinus - M.A. Smith, 1943[1]

Appearance and description

Thanks to similarities in reported phenotypes of snakes studied within the same region, a set of appearances for Rhinophis saffragamus can be concluded. These are named "grandis" and "pardalis", derived from the species synonymous names Uropeltis grandis (Kelaart, 1853) and Uropeltis pardalis (Kelaart, 1853).^[2]

There is no easily available and complete data that definitively ties specific features to these types, however, generally, "grandis"-type specimens are larger than "pardalis"-type specimens. Recorded lengths of "grandis" specimens vary from ~300mm up to 510mm, while "pardalis" specimens varied from 148mm to 230mm. "Grandis" specimens are reported to be dark brown dorsally with darker spots on individual scales and a pale yellow venter. Contrarily, "pardalis" specimens are blackish-brown dorsally with scattered whiteish spots and a yellowish-white venter with scattered brown spots.^[2]

Diet

The diet of shield-tail snakes in general consists mostly of earthworms. They may also consume termites, earwigs, and caterpillars, however, 80-90% of their stomach contents consists of earthworms. The distribution of shield-tail snakes in India is also tied to the presence or lack of earthworms.^[3]

Geographic range

It is found in Sri Lanka in central and southern Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces. Vertical range is from near sea level to 900 m elevation.

The type locality given is "Philippinschen Inseln": in error, according to M.A. Smith (1943).^[1]

Taxonomy

It is also mentioned in the synonymy of Ramphotyphlops, a genus of blind snakes, but then as a name proposed by Fitzinger in 1843. However, at the time this name was already preoccupied by Schlegel's Pseudo-typhlops (1839).^[1]