Lycodon flavomaculatus

Lycodon flavomaculatus, commonly called the yellow-spotted wolf snake, is a species of colubrid snake found in the Western Ghats of India.

Lycodon flavomaculatus
Lycodon flavomaculatus at Amravati, Maharashtra
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Lycodon
Species:	L. flavomaculatus
Binomial name
Lycodon flavomaculatus Wall, 1907
Synonyms
Lycodon flavomaculatus Wall, 1907 Ophites flavomaculatus – Wall, 1923 Lycodon flavomaculatus – M.A. Smith, 1943[2]

Description

Dorsally Lycodon flavimaculatus is shiny black with a series of yellow vertebral spots. Beside each spot whitish crossbars descend the flanks, beginning about the same width as the spots then widening. The spots are about 2 scales long, separated by intervals of 4 or 5 scales. The dorsal surface of the head is black, and the lips are white. The entire venter of the snake is white.

At first glance, it resembles Lampropeltis getula, the Eastern kingsnake of the United States.

The yellow-spotted wolf snake is a small snake. Adults are about 35 cm (13¾ inches) in length.

Dorsal scales in 17 rows on neck and at midbody, in 15 rows posteriorly. Ventrals 165–182, not angulate; anal plate divided; subcaudals 53–62, divided.^[3]

Head slightly distinct from neck. Snout rounded and somewhat flattened. Nine upper labials, of which only the first contacts the nasal.^[4]