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Colubridae

Günther's Rough-sided Snake

Harmless

Aspidura guentheri

Günther's Rough-sided Snake
Aspidura guentheri, Kasun withanage / Wikimedia Commons

The Günther's Rough-sided Snake (Aspidura guentheri) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.

Family
Colubridae

About the Günther's Rough-sided Snake

Aspidura guentheri, commonly known as Günther's rough-sided snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is the smallest member of the genus Aspidura.

Etymology

The specific name, guentheri, is named after the German-born British herpetologist Albert Günther.

Geographic range

A. guentheri is a burrowing snake restricted to the lowlands of Sri Lanka. Localities recorded include Ratnapura, Deniyaya, Yapitikanda, Kandilpana, Kosgama, Kalutara, and Balangoda at altitudes of 100–500 m (330–1,640 ft).

Description

The head of A. guentheri is indistinct from the neck, and the body is cylindrical. The dorsum is brown, mottled with dark brown. The forehead is dark, and a pale neck band is present. Running down the back are three rows of dark spots, one vertebral row and two lateral rows. The ventral side is light brown.

Scalation

A. guentheri has the following scalation. The dorsal scales are in 17 rows at midbody. One preocular is present. There are two postoculars, only the upper in contact with the parietal. The ventrals number 101-116, and the subcaudals 19-26.

Ecology

The diet of A. guentheri comprises mainly earthworms.

Reproduction

A. guentheri is oviparous. Clutches of one to three eggs are laid.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Günther's Rough-sided Snake

Is the Günther's Rough-sided Snake venomous?
No. The Günther's Rough-sided Snake (Aspidura guentheri) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
Is the Günther's Rough-sided Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Günther's Rough-sided Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Günther's Rough-sided Snake dangerous?
The Günther's Rough-sided Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Günther's Rough-sided Snake live?
The Günther's Rough-sided Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Sri Lanka. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Why is it called the Günther's Rough-sided Snake?
The specific name, guentheri, is named after the German-born British herpetologist Albert Günther.

Where it is found

Sri Lanka

More Colubridae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
Colubridae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Aspidura
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Aspidura guentheri

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.