List of snakes of South Asia
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of snakes of South Asia
, primarily covering the region covered by mainland India
, Pakistan
, Nepal
, Sri Lanka
, Bangladesh
, Bhutan
, parts of Myanmar
and the Andaman
and Nicobar
Island chains. All families are covered except for the Colubridae which is found here.This forms part of the complete list of reptiles of South Asia.
Order Squamata - suborder Serpentes
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, primarily covering the region covered by mainland India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
, parts of Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
and the Andaman
Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands are a group of Indian Ocean archipelagic islands in the Bay of Bengal between India to the west, and Burma , to the north and east...
and Nicobar
Nicobar Islands
The Nicobar Islands are an archipelagic island chain in the eastern Indian Ocean...
Island chains. All families are covered except for the Colubridae which is found here.This forms part of the complete list of reptiles of South Asia.
Order Squamata - suborder Serpentes
Family Typhlopidae
- Brahminy Blind Snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
- Slender blind snake (Typhlops porrectusTyphlops porrectusTyphlops porrectus is a harmless blind snake species found in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and northern Myanmar. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
) Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka - Giant blind snake (Typhlops diardiiTyphlops diardiiTyphlops diardii is a harmless blind snake species found mainly in Southeast Asia. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
) Northeast India, Bangladesh, China, Indo-China, Myanmar, Thailand, Malay region - Pied blind snake (Typhlops leucomelasTyphlops leucomelasTyphlops leucomelas is a species of snake in the Typhlopidae family....
) Sri Lanka - Jan's blind snake (Typhlops mirusTyphlops mirusTyphlops mirus is a species of snake in the Typhlopidae family....
) Sri Lanka - Günther's blind snake (Typhlops pammecesTyphlops pammecesTyphlops pammeces is a harmless blind snake species found in southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Found in southern India. The type locality given is "Madras" [India]....
Günther 1864) - Typhlops exiguusTyphlops exiguusTyphlops exiguus is a harmless blind snake species found in India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Found in southwestern India where it is know only from Belgaum in the state of Karnataka. The type locality given is "Indes orientalis" [East Indies]....
- Typhlops beddomiiTyphlops beddomiiTyphlops beddomii is a harmless blind snake species found in southern India. Named after Richard Henry Beddome, 1830-1911: a British army officer and botanist. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
- Typhlops andamanesisTyphlops andamanesisTyphlops andamanensis is a harmless blind snake species found in the Andaman Islands. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Found in in the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. The type locality given is "Andaman Islands."...
- Rhinotyphlops acutusRhinotyphlops acutusRhinotyphlops acutus is a harmless blind snake species endemic to peninsular India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
- Ramphotyphlops exocoetiRamphotyphlops exocoetiRamphotyphlops exocoeti is a blind snake species endemic to Christmas Island. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Found on Christmas Island The type locality given is -Conservation status:...
- (Typhlops tindalliTyphlops tindalliTyphlops tindalli is a harmless blind snake species found in southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Found in India in the Nilgiri Hills, Malabar District. The type locality given is "Nilambur, Malabar district" [India]....
) - (Typhlops thurstoniTyphlops thurstoniTyphlops thurstoni is a harmless blind snake species found in western India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Found in south of Goa in western India, from sea level to approximately 1,200 m elevation . The type locality given is...
) - (Typhlops tenuicollisTyphlops tenuicollisTyphlops tenuicollis is a harmless blind snake species found in northern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
) - (Typhlops oligolepisTyphlops oligolepisTyphlops oligolepis is a harmless blind snake species found in northern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Found in the eastern Himalayas in India in the area of Sikkim and Darjiling district. The type locality given is "Nagri Valley below Darjeeling [India] at an...
) - (Typhlops oatesiiTyphlops oatesiiTyphlops oatesii is a harmless blind snake species found in the Cocos Islands. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Until recently, this species was only known from the type locality, which is "Table Island, Cocos Group, Andamans" in the Bay of Bengal. Table Island belongs to...
) - (Typhlops meszoelyiTyphlops meszoelyiTyphlops meszoelyi is a harmless blind snake species found in Darjeeling, West Bengal Province, India. It was named after Dr. Charles A.M. Meszoely of the Center for Vertebrate Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts....
) - (Typhlops loveridgeiTyphlops loveridgeiTyphlops loveridgei is a harmless blind snake species found in northern India. It is named after Arthur Loveridge, an American herpetologist. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
) - (Typhlops jerdoniTyphlops jerdoniTyphlops jerdoni is a harmless blind snake species found in India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Found in eastern and northern India in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Seven Sisters [Assam], and Meghalaya. Possibly, it also occurs in Myanmar . The type locality given is...
) - (Typhlops fletcheri)
Family Uropeltidae
- Palni Shieldtail Snake Brachyophidium rhodogaster
- Two-lined Black Shieldtail Melanophidium bilineatumMelanophidium bilineatumTwo-lined Black Shieldtail or Iridescent Shieldtail, Melanophidium bilineatum is a species of snake found in Wayanad situated in the Western Ghats in South India...
- Beddome's Black Shieldtail Melanophidium punctatumMelanophidium punctatumBeddome's Black Shieldtail, Melanophidium punctatum, is a species of shieldtail snake found in the Western Ghats of India.-Description:...
- Indian Black Earth Snake Melanophidium wynaudenseMelanophidium wynaudenseIndian Black Earth Snake Melanophidium wynaudense is a species of snake found in the Western Ghats.-Description:Beddome : "Scales round the body 15, round the neck 16 or 17; rostral scarcely produced back between the nasals; no supraorbital; muzzle more obtuse than in P...
- Travancore Hills Thorntail Snake Platyplectrurus madurensisPlatyplectrurus madurensisTravancore Hills Thorntail Snake Platyplectrurus madurensis is a species of snake found in the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka.S India, Sri LankaType locality: "About Kodiukarnal on the Pulney Mountains , 6000 feet elevation"...
- Lined Thorntail Snake Platyplectrurus trilineatusPlatyplectrurus trilineatusLined Thorntail Snake Platyplectrurus trilineatus is a species of snake.Distribution:S IndiaType locality: Anamally forests; elevation 4,000 feet" [Beddome 1867]Type locality: Madura Hills", S India. [Beddome 1886]...
- Kerala Shieldtail Plectrurus aureusPlectrurus aureusKerala Shieldtail Plectrurus aureus is a species of snake found in the Western Ghats.Distribution:SW IndiaType locality: Chambra mountain in Wynad, near Kalpatty - one under an old rotten log at 6,000 feet elevation, the other under a large stone at 4,500 feet, both in heavy evergreen forest"....
- Kanara Shieldtail Plectrurus canaricusPlectrurus canaricusKanara Shieldtail Plectrurus canaricus is a species of snake.Distribution:S IndiaType locality: "South Canara, [..] on the top of the Kudra Mukh, a mountain 6000 feet high"...
- Günther's Burrowing Snake Plectrurus guentheriPlectrurus guentheriGünther's Burrowing Snake is a species of uropeltid snake found in the Western Ghats of India.-Description:Description provided by Beddome : "Scales of the neck in 17 rows; anterior portion of the trunk in 13 rows, of the rest of the body in 15 rows; head-shields as in P. Perrotteti, only the...
- Nilgiri Burrowing Snake Plectrurus perroteti
- Cardamom Hills Earth Snake Rhinophis fergusonianusRhinophis fergusonianusThe Cardamom Hills Earth Snake is a species of snake. It is distributed across south India, specifically in the Cardamom Hills, Travancore, South India....
- Schneider's Earth Snake Rhinophis oxyrhynchusRhinophis oxyrhynchusSchneider's Earth Snake Rhinophis oxyrhynchus is a species of snake endemic to Sri Lanka. It is found in the northern and eastern provinces, Mullaitivu; Vavoniya; Trincomalee.Type locality: India orientali" [Typhlops oxyrhynchus SCHNEIDER 1801]...
- Salty Earth Snake Rhinophis sanguineusRhinophis sanguineusSalty Earth Snake is a species of uropeltid snake found in the Western Ghats of India.-Description:Description after Beddome : "Scales of the body large, in 15 rows; of the anterior portion of the trunk sometimes in 17; rostral much produced, very sharp, conical, horny, produced back, and covering...
- Travancore Shieldtail Rhinophis travancoricusRhinophis travancoricusTravancore Shieldtail Rhinophis travancoricus is a species of snake.Distribution:S India Type locality: near Trevandrum, at the 6th mile-stone towards Vambayam...
- Purple-red Earth Snake Teretrurus sanguineusTeretrurus sanguineusTeretrurus is a monotypic genus created for the non-venomous shield tail snake species, T. sanguineus, found in southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
- Madurai Earth Snake Uropeltis arcticepsUropeltis arcticepsUropeltis arcticeps, commonly known as the Madurai earth snake or the Tinevelly Uropeltis, is a species of snake in the family Uropeltidae...
- Beddome's Earth Snake Uropeltis beddomiiUropeltis beddomiiUropeltis beddomii, commonly known as Beddome's earth snake, is a species of snake in the family Uropeltidae. It is endemic to India.-Etymology:...
- Brougham's Earth Snake Uropeltis broughamiUropeltis broughamiUropeltis broughami, commonly known as Brougham's earth snake or the Sirumallay Uropeltis, is a species of snake in the family Uropeltidae...
- Ceylon Earth Snake Uropeltis ceylanicusUropeltis ceylanicusUropeltis ceylanica is a nonvenomous shield tail snake species found in southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
- Sirumalai Hills Earth Snake Uropeltis dindigalensisUropeltis dindigalensisUropeltis dindigalensis, commonly known as the Sirumalai Hills earth snake or the Dindigul Uropeltis, is a species of snake in the family Uropeltidae...
- Elliot's Earth Snake Uropeltis elliotiUropeltis elliotiUropeltis ellioti, commonly known as Elliot's earth snake, is a species of snake in the family Uropeltidae. It is endemic to India.-Etymology:The specific name or epithet, ellioti, is in honor of Scottish naturalist Walter Elliot....
- Günther's Earth Snake Uropeltis liuraUropeltis liuraGünther's Earth Snake, Uropeltis liura, is a species of snake.Distribution:South India Type locality: Malabar....
- Bombay Earth Snake Uropeltis macrolepisUropeltis macrolepisBombay Earth Snake, Uropeltis macrolepis, is a species of snake.Distribution:South India Type locality: "Ceylon?" [Sri Lanka]...
- Anaimalai Earth Snake Uropeltis macrorhynchusUropeltis macrorhynchusUropeltis macrorhyncha is a non-venomous shield tail snake species found in ... No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Found in southern India in the Western Ghats: Anaimalai Hills, Madura District...
- Spotted Earth Snake Uropeltis maculatusUropeltis maculatusCommon names: spotted earth snake. Uropeltis maculata is a non-venomous shield tail snake species found in southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
- Boulenger's Earth Snake Uropeltis myhendraeUropeltis myhendraeBoulenger's Earth Snake, Uropeltis myhendrae, is a species of snake.Distribution:South India Type locality: SouthTravancore, on the Myhendra Mountain", S India....
- Southern Earth Snake Uropeltis nitidusUropeltis nitidusUropeltis nitida is a non-venomous shield tail snake species found in southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Found in southern India in the Western Ghats on the Cochin side of the Anaimalai Hills...
- Ocellated Shieldtail Uropeltis ocellatusUropeltis ocellatusUropeltis ocellata is a non-venomous shield tail snake species found in southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:...
- Shieldtail Earth Snake Uropeltis petersiUropeltis petersiShieldtail Earth Snake, Uropeltis petersi, is a species of snake.Distribution:South India Type locality: Anamallays, 4000 feet".Named after Wilhelm Peters , German herpetologist....
- Phipson's Shieldtail Uropeltis phipsoniiUropeltis phipsoniiPhipson's Shieldtail Uropeltis phipsonii is a species of snake found in the Western Ghats. The species is named after H. M. Phipson, one of the founders of the Bombay Natural History Society.-Description:...
- Indian Earth Snake Uropeltis pulneyensisUropeltis pulneyensisPalni Shieldtail Uropeltis pulneyensis is a species of uripeltid snake found in the Western Ghats of India.-Description:Description after Beddome : "Rostral rather obtuse, produced back between the nasals, and touching the frontals, nasals not meeting; eye small, in front of the ocular shield; no...
- Red-lined Earth Snake Uropeltis rubrolineatusUropeltis rubrolineatusUropeltis rubrolineata is a non-venomous shield tail snake species found in southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
- Red-spotted Earth Snake Uropeltis rubromaculatusUropeltis rubromaculatusUropeltis rubromaculata is a non-venomous shield tail snake species found in southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
- Smith's Earth Snake Uropeltis smithiUropeltis smithiSmith's earth snake, Uropeltis smithi, is a species of non-venomous shield tail snake. It is found mainly in the Anamallay forests of Southern Indian, in moist woods at around 1,200 m . This snake has been classified in the past as Rhinophis grandis, Silybura grandis, and Uropeltis grandis...
- Woodmason's Earth Snake Uropeltis woodmasoniUropeltis woodmasoniWoodmason's Earth Snake Uropeltis woodmasoni is a species of snake.Distribution:S India Type locality: Anamallys and Travancore [Silybura melanogaster Günther]...
Family Acrochordidae
- Wart snake Acrochordus granulatusAcrochordus granulatusAcrochordus granulatus is a snake species found from India through Southeast Asia to the Solomon Islands. It is completely aquatic and almost helpless on land. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:...
India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Timor
Family Boidae
- Common sand boa Gongylophis conicusGongylophis conicusGongylophis conicus is a non-venomous boa species found in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. No subspecies are currently recognized. -Description:...
Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka - Red sand boa Eryx johniiEryx johniiEryx johnii is a non-venomous boa species found in Iran, Pakistan and India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:Adults rarely exceed two feet in length , although they sometimes reach 3 feet . Adapted to burrowing, the head is wedge-shaped with narrow nostrils and very small eyes...
India, Pakistan - Whitaker's sand boa Eryx whitakeriEryx whitakeriEryx whitakeri is a non-venomous boa species found in coastal southern India. Named in honor of Romulus Whitaker. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
Southwest India - Indian rock python Python molurus Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Java
- Reticulated python Python reticulatus India (Arunachal Pradesh, Nicobars), Myanmar, China, Indo-China, Malay region
Family Xenopeltidae
- Sunbeam snake Xenopeltis unicolorXenopeltis unicolorXenopeltis unicolor is a non-venomous sunbeam snake species found in Southeast Asia and some regions of Indonesia. This is a primitive snake known for both its highly iridescent scales and its ability to reproduce quickly, as it is Oviparous and as such can lay up to 10 eggs at a time. No...
India (Nicobars), Myanmar, Thailand, China, Indo-China, Malay region
Family Elapidae
- Andamans krait Bungarus andamanensisBungarus andamanensisThe South Andaman krait is a species of krait, a venomous elapid snake, which is found in the Andaman Islands of India.-References:...
India (Andamans) - Common Indian krait Bungarus caeruleusCommon KraitThe common krait is a species of genus Bungarus found in the jungles of the Indian subcontinent. It is a member of the "big four", species inflicting the most snakebites in India....
Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka - Sri Lankan krait Bungarus ceylonicus Sri Lanka
- Banded krait Bungarus fasciatus Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Indo-China, China, Malay region
- Sindh krait Bungarus sindanusBungarus sindanusThe Sind krait is a species of krait, a venomous elapid snake found in Asia. Three subspecies are recognized.-Distribution:The geographic ranges of the subspecies in Pakistan and India are as follows:...
Pakistan, India - Northeastern Hill Krait Bungarus bungaroidesBungarus bungaroidesBungarus bungaroides, commonly known as the Northeastern hill krait, is a species of venomous elapid snake.-Description:Diagnostic characters: Dorsal scales in 15 longitudinal rows at midbody; subcaudal scutes ordinarily divided anteriorly, but occasionally some scutes may be single, but always...
- Lesser Black Krait Bungarus lividusBungarus lividusThe lesser black krait is a species of venomous elapid snake found in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.Type locality: Assam, India.-References:...
- Greater Black Krait Bungarus nigerBungarus nigerThe greater black krait is a species of krait, a venomous elapid snake.-Geographic range:It is found in India mainly along the sub-Himalayas from Uttaranchal in the west to Arunachal Pradesh and beyond India in the east...
- Beddome's Coral Snake Calliophis beddomei
- MacClelland's coral snake Calliophis macclellandiCalliophis macclellandiSinomicrurus macclellandi or MacClelland's Coral Snake is a species of snake found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, China, Taiwan, and Japan.-Description:...
Nepal, India, Myanmar, Indo-China, Taiwan - Slender coral snake Calliophis melanurusCalliophis melanurusThe Indian coral snake, Calliophis melanurus, is a species of venomous elapid snake.-Geographic range:It is found in India , Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.The race sinhaleyus is found in Sri Lanka.-References:...
Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka - Black Coral Snake Calliophis nigrescensCalliophis nigrescensThe black coral snake Calliophis nigrescens is a species of venomous snake.-Geographic range:It is found in India in the Western Ghats, Karwar, Wayanad, Nilgiris, Anamalai, and the Travancore hills at 4,000-6,000 feet ....
- Bibron's Coral Snake Calliophis bibroniCalliophis bibroniBibron's coral snake is a species of venomous elapid snake. It is named after Gabriel Bibron , French zoologist.-Description:Eye minute, diameter about half its distance from mouth...
- Monocled cobra Naja kaouthiaNaja kaouthiaThe monocled cobra is a cobra species, which is widespread across central and southern Asia. It has been assessed as Least Concern by IUCN owing to its large distribution, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, including anthropogenically altered environments, and its reported abundance...
Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Indo-China, China - Spectacled cobra Naja najaIndian CobraIndian Cobra or Spectacled Cobra is a species of the genus Naja found in the Indian subcontinent and a member of the "big four", the four species which inflict the most snakebites in India. This snake is revered in Indian mythology and culture, and is often seen with snake charmers...
Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka - Black cobra Naja oxianaNaja oxianaNaja oxiana or the Central Asian Cobra is a species of venomous snake found in Central Asia.-Distribution:It is found in Afghanistan, NE Iran, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, SW Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The type locality is Transcaspia....
Central Asia, Pakistan, India - Andaman cobra Naja sagittifera India (Andamans)
- King cobra Ophiophagus hannahKing CobraThe king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m . This species, which preys chiefly on other snakes, is found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia...
India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Indo-China, Malay region, Philippines
Family Hydrophiidae
- Spine-tailed seasnake Aipysurus eydouxiiAipysurus eydouxiiSpine-tailed Seasnake Aipysurus eydouxii is a species of sea snake.This species is found in Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, the South China Sea,the Gulf of Thailand, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, Vietnam, and New Guinea....
(Gray, 1849) - Large-headed sea snake Astrotia stokesiiAstrotia stokesiiCommonly known as Stokes' seasnake, Astrotia stokesii is a large species of sea snake found in tropical Indo-Pacific oceanic waters.-Description:...
(Gray, 1846) Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malay region - Yellow-and-black sea snake Atretium schistosumAtretium schistosumThe Split Keelback or Olive keelback snake, Atretium schistosum, is a species of snake found in South Asia. It is a common and harmless watersnake.- Distribution :...
India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka - Olive-Headed Seasnake Disteira majorDisteira majorOlive-headed or greater seasnake Disteira major is a species of sea snake.-Distribution:Indian Ocean , S New Guinea, New Caledonia, Australia -References:...
(Shaw, 1802) - Disteira nigrocinctaDisteira nigrocinctaDisteira nigrocincta is a species of sea snake.Distribution:Indian Ocean: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar , Thailand, MalaysiaType locality: Sundarbans, Bengal-References:...
(Daudin, 1803) - Wall's Sea Snake Disteira walliDisteira walliWall's Sea Snake Disteira walli is a species of sea snake found in the North Indian Ocean; Malay Archipelago.-References:* Kharin V E 1989 A new sea snake species of the genus Disteira from the waters of the Malay Archipelago [in Russian]. VESTNIK ZOOLOGII 1989 : 29-32....
Kharin, 1989 - Beaked Seasnake or Hook-nosed sea snake Enhydrina schistosaEnhydrina schistosaBeaked seasnake is a species of sea snake.-Description:...
(Daudin, 1803) Persian Gulf, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indo-China, Malay peninsula - Faint-Banded Seasnake Hydrophis belcheriHydrophis belcheriThe Faint-banded Sea snake is a species of elapid sea snake. It has a friendly temperament and would normally have to be subjected to severe mistreatment before biting...
(Gray, 1849) - Peters' Sea Snake Hydrophis bituberculatusHydrophis bituberculatusPeters' Sea Snake Hydrophis bituberculatus is a species of sea snake.Found in the Indian Ocean .-Bibliography:* Peters, W.C.H. 1872 Hr. W. Peters las über den Hydrus fasciatus Schneider und einige andere Seeschlangen. Monatsber. Akad. Berlin 1872: 855-856* Peters, Wilhem Carl Hartwig 1873 Über den...
Peters, 1872 - Hydrophis brookiHydrophis brookiHydrophis brooki is a species of sea snake.-Distribution:Indian Ocean , Gulf of Thailand-References:...
Günther, 1872 - Blue sea snake Hydrophis caerulescensHydrophis caerulescensThe Dwarf Seasnake is a species of sea snake.-Anatomy:Diagnostic Characters.- Scales on thickest part of body quadrangular or hexagonal in shape, feebly imbricate or juxtaposed; 14-18 maxillary teeth behind front fangs; 2 anterior tempo-rals; scales in 31-43 rows on the neck, 38-54 around midbody...
Shaw, 1802 Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China, Malay region - Annulated Sea Snake Hydrophis cyanocinctusHydrophis cyanocinctusAnnulated Sea Snake Hydrophis cyanocinctus is a species of sea snake.-Description:Head moderate; eye shorter than its distance from the mouth in the adult...
Daudin, 1803 - Banded sea snake Hydrophis fasciatusHydrophis fasciatusStriped Sea Snake Hydrophis fasciatus is a species of sea snake.-Anatomy:Head small, body long and slender anteriorly; scales on thickest part of body subquadrangular or hexagonal in shape, juxtaposed or slightly imbricate; 5-6 maxillary teeth behind fangs; 2 anterior temporals; body scales in...
(Schneider, 1799) Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Malay region - Hydrophis inornatusHydrophis inornatusPlain Seasnake Hydrophis inornatus is a species of sea snake.-Distribution:South Chinese Sea , Sri LankaAustralia -Bibliography:...
(Gray, 1849) - Kloss' Sea Snake Hydrophis klossiHydrophis klossiKloss' Sea Snake Hydrophis klossi is a species of sea snake.-Etymology and taxonomic history:The snake is named after Cecil Boden Kloss , director of the Raffles Museum in Singapore from 1923 to 1932.-Bibliography:...
Boulenger, 1912 - Black-headed sea snake Hydrophis mammilarisHydrophis mammilarisBombay Sea Snake is a species of sea snake.Distribution:Indian Ocean...
Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka - Black-banded sea snake Hydrophis nigrocinctus India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar
- Estuarine sea snake Hydrophis obscurusHydrophis obscurusRussell's Sea Snake Hydrophis obscurus is a species of sea snake.-Bibliography:* Russell 1801 A continuation of an account of Indian serpents: containing descriptions and figures from specimens and drawings, transmitted from various parts of India to the hon. Court of Directors of the East Indian...
India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar - Cochin banded sea snake Hydrophis ornatusHydrophis ornatusOrnate Reef seasnake Hydrophis ornatus is a species of sea snake.-Bibliography:* Bussarawitt,S.; Rasmussen, A.R. & Andersen, M. 1989 A preliminary study on sea snakes from Phuket Harbor, Phuket Island, Thailand. Nat. Hist. Bull. Siam Soc., Bangkok 37 : 209-225* Mittleman, M. B...
Persian Gulf, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malay region, Indo-China, China - Persian Gulf Sea Snake Hydrophis lapemoidesHydrophis lapemoidesPersian Gulf Sea Snake Hydrophis lapemoides is a species of sea snake.-Distribution:Indian Ocean, Persian Gulfcoasts off Bahrain, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia , Singapore, Thailand...
(Gray, 1849) - Slender-Necked Seasnake Hydrophis melanocephalusHydrophis melanocephalusSlender-necked Seasnake Hydrophis melanocephalus is a species of sea snake.-Distribution:*South Chinese Sea*Japan *Coasts of Taiwan and Guangdong northward to Zhejiang...
(Gray, 1849) - Yellow Sea Snake Hydrophis spiralisHydrophis spiralisYellow Sea Snake Hydrophis spiralis is a species of sea snake.-Anatomy:This is perhaps the longest species of seasnake .Diagnostic Characters- Scales on thickest part of body with rounded or pointed tips, imbricate; 6-7 maxillary teeth behind fangs; normally 1 anterior temporal; 6-8 upper labials;...
(Shaw, 1802) - Collared Sea Snake Hydrophis stricticollisHydrophis stricticollisCollared Sea Snake Hydrophis stricticollis is a species of sea snake.-Anatomy:Scales on thickest part of body subquadrangular or hexagonal in shape, feebly imbricate or juxtaposed; 8-11 maxillary teeth behind fangs; head small, body long and slender anteriorly, posteriorly 2.5 to 3 times thicker...
Günther, 1864 - Jerdon's sea snake Kerilia jerdoniiKerilia jerdoniiJerdon's Sea Snake is a species of sea snake.-Description:M. A. Smith describes the species as follows:...
India, Sri Lanka, Malay peninsula - Bighead Sea Snake Kolpophis annandaleiKolpophis annandaleiBighead Sea Snake Kolpophis annandalei is a species of sea snake.Distribution:Indian Ocean -References:...
(Laidlaw, 1901) - Short sea snake Lapemis curtusLapemis curtusThe Shaw's Sea Snake is a species of sea snake.Distribution:Persian Gulf Indian Ocean South China Sea north to the coasts of Fujian and Shandong...
(Shaw, 1802) Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Malay region, Indo-China - Yellow-lipped sea krait Laticauda colubrinaLaticauda colubrinaThe colubrine sea krait, banded sea krait or yellow-lipped sea krait is a species of sea snake found in tropical Indo-Pacific oceanic waters....
India, East of the islands of the Sundas - Laticauda laticaudataLaticauda laticaudataThe blue-lipped sea krait is a species of sea snake.-Diagnostic Characters:Ventrals large, one-third to more than one half the width of the body; nostrils lateral; nasals separated by internasals; 19 longitudinal rows of imbricate scales at midbody; no azygous prefrontal shield; rostral undivided;...
(LinnaeusCarolus LinnaeusCarl Linnaeus , also known after his ennoblement as , was a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of binomial nomenclature. He is known as the father of modern taxonomy, and is also considered one of the fathers of modern ecology...
, 1758) - Hardwicke's Spine-Bellied Seasnake Lapemis hardwickiiLapemis hardwickiiThe Spine-bellied Sea snake, or Hardwicke's Spine-bellied Sea snake, is a species of sea snake.-Description:*Body short, stout, neck region not less than half as thick at midbody;...
Gray, 1834 - Annulated sea snake Leioselasma cyanocincta Persian Gulf, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malay region
- Yellow sea snake Leioselasma spiralis Persian Gulf, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Malay region
- Microcephalophis cantorisMicrocephalophis cantorisMicrocephalophis cantoris is a species of sea snake.Diagnostic Characters- Head small, body long and slender anteriorly; scales on thickest part of body juxtaposed; 5-6 maxillary teeth behind fangs; 23-25 scale rows around neck, 41-48 around thickest part of body ; ventrals divided by a...
- Slender narrow-headed sea snake Microcephalophis gracilisMicrocephalophis gracilisThe Graceful Small-headed Sea Snake or Slender Sea Snake Microcephalophis gracilis is a species of sea snake.-Diagnostic Characters:...
Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malay region, China - Yellow-bellied Sea snake Pelamis platurus
- Thalassophina viperinaThalassophina viperinaThalassophina viperina is a species of sea snake.Diagnostic Characters- Scales hexagonal, juxtaposed, in 27-34 rows on the neck, 37-50 at midbody; ventrals 226-274, anteriorly about half the width of the body, narrowing posterior to about twice the width of the adjacent scales, or slightly less;...
- Anomalous Sea Snake Thalassophis anomalusThalassophis anomalusAnomalous Sea Snake is a species of sea snake.Distribution: South Chinese Sea , Indian Ocean -References:...
Family Viperidae
- Himalayan pit viper Gloydius himalayanusGloydius himalayanusGloydius himalayanus is a venomous pitviper species found along the southern slopes of the Himalayas in Pakistan, India and Nepal. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
India, Pakistan, Nepal - Levantine viper Macrovipera lebetinaMacrovipera lebetinaMacrovipera lebetina is a venomous viper species found in North Africa, much of the Middle East, and as far east as Kashmir. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate race described here.-Description:...
Middle East, Pakistan - Russel's viper Daboia russeliiDaboiaDaboia is a monotypic genus of venomous Old World viper. The single species, D. russelii, is found in Asia throughout the Indian subcontinent, much of Southeast Asia, southern China and Taiwan...
Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Indo-China, islands of Java, Komodo, Flores, Indonesia - Indian saw-scaled viper Echis carinatusEchis carinatusEchis carinatus is a venomous viper species found in parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, and especially the Indian subcontinent. It is the smallest member of the Big Four snakes...
Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka - Echis megalocephalusEchis megalocephalusEchis megalocephalus is a venomous viper species found only on one island in the Red Sea off the coast of Eritrea. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:...
- Common hump-nosed pit viper Hypnale hypnaleHypnale hypnaleHypnale hypnale is a venomous pitviper species found in India and Sri Lanka. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description: Grows to an average of 30-45 cm in length. The Armed Forces Pest Management Board states 0.4-0.6 m in length....
India, Sri Lanka - Millard's hump-nosed pit viper Hypnale nepaHypnale nepaHypnale nepa is a venomous pitviper species found in Sri Lanka. Relatively small, they are distinguished by a strongly upturned snout. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:...
Sri Lanka - Wall's hump-nosed pit viper Hypnale walliHypnale walliHypnale walli is a venomous pitviper species found in Sri Lanka. The smallest member member of its genus, it is distinguished by having a strongly upturned nose and lower scale counts...
Sri Lanka - Blotched pit viper Ovophis monticolaOvophis monticolaOvophis monticola is a venomous pitviper species found in Asia. Currently, five subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.-Description:Total length males 49 cm, females 110 cm; tail length males 8 cm, females 15 cm....
Bangladesh, India, Nepal - Brown spotted pit viper Protobothrops mucrosquamatusProtobothrops mucrosquamatus-Description:Males grow to a maximum total length of 112 cm with a tail length of 19.5 cm. Females grow to a length of 116 cm with a tail length of 20.5 cm...
India, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Vietnam - Protobothrops jerdoniiProtobothrops jerdoniiTrimeresurus jerdonii is a venomous pitviper species found in India , Burma, Tibet, China and Vietnam. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.-Description:...
- White-lipped pit viper Trimeresurus albolabrisTrimeresurus albolabrisTrimeresurus albolabris is a venomous pitviper species found in Southeast Asia. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate race described here.-Description:...
India, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sundas up to Timor - Anderson's pit viper Trimeresurus andersonii India (Andamans)
- Bamboo pit viper Trimeresurus gramineusTrimeresurus gramineusTrimeresurus gramineus is a venomous pitviper species found only in southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:...
Nepal, India - Large-scaled green pit viper Trimeresurus macrolepisTrimeresurus macrolepisTrimeresurus macrolepis is a venomous pitviper species found in the mountains of southern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
Southwest India - Malabar rock pit viper Trimeresurus malabaricusTrimeresurus malabaricusTrimeresurus malabaricus is a venomous pitviper species found in southwestern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:...
Southwest India - Tibetan pit viper Trimeresurus tibetanusTrimeresurus tibetanusTrimeresurus tibetanus is a venomous pitviper species found only in Tibet. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:Scalation includes 21 rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 147-152/145-159 ventral scales in males/females, 46-54/40-48 subcaudal scales in males/females and 7-9 supralabial...
Tibet, Nepal - Trimeresurus stejnegeriTrimeresurus stejnegeriTrimeresurus stejnegeri is a venomous pitviper species found in India, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, China and Taiwan. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.-Description:...
- Trimeresurus purpureomaculatusTrimeresurus purpureomaculatusTrimeresurus purpureomaculatus is a venomous pitviper species found in parts of India and Southeast Asia. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.-Description:...
- Pope's Pit Viper Trimeresurus popeiorumTrimeresurus popeiorumTrimeresurus popeorum is a venomous pitviper species found in northern India, Southeast Asia and parts of Indonesia. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.-Description:...
- Medo Pit Viper Trimeresurus medoensisTrimeresurus medoensisTrimeresurus medoensis is a venomous pitviper species found in India, Burma and Xizang , China. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:...
- Trimeresurus labialisTrimeresurus labialisTrimeresurus labialis is a venomous pitviper species endemic to the Nicobar Islands of India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:Found only in the Nicobar Islands of India. The type locality given is "den Nikobaren."...
- Trimeresurus erythrurusTrimeresurus erythrurusTrimeresurus erythrurus is a venomous pitviper species found in India, Bangladesh and Burma. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:Males grow to a maximum size 575 mm, of which the tail is 120 mm in length...
- Cantor's Pit Viper Trimeresurus cantoriTrimeresurus cantoriTrimeresurus cantori is a venomous pitviper species endemic to the Nicobar Islands of India. It was named after Theodore Edward Cantor , a Danish naturalist serving as a surgeon with the East India Company in Calcutta...
- Pseudocerastes persicus