Trachischium fuscum

Trachischium fuscum, also known as the blackbelly worm-eating snake^[2] or the Darjeeling slender snake,^[3] is a species of colubrid snake, which is endemic to Asia. The specific name, fuscum, is Latin for "dusky" or "dark brown".^[4]

Trachischium fuscum
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Trachischium
Species:	T. fuscum
Binomial name
Trachischium fuscum (Blyth, 1854)
Synonyms[2]
Calamaria fusca Blyth, 1854 Calamaria obscura-striata Blyth, 1854 Trachischium rugosum Günther, 1858 Trachischium fuscum – Günther, 1860 Ablabes gilgiticus Annandale, 1905 Eminophis lineolata Werner, 1924 Trachischium fuscum – M.A. Smith, 1943

Geographic range

It is found in Nepal and India (Jammu & Kashmir, northern West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Assam, eastern Arunachal Pradesh), possibly also in Bhutan.^[2]

Description

As the common name implies, the venter is black or dark brown. The dorsum is also black or dark brown, and may have lighter longitudinal streaks. The dorsal scales are in 13 rows. Males have keeled scales on their sides in the anal region. Adults may attain 51 cm (20 inches) in total length, with a tail 6 cm (2¼ inches) long.^[5]