Uropeltidae

Uropeltidae
Cuvier's shield-tail snake (Uropeltis ceylanica)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Superfamily: Uropeltoidea
Family: Uropeltidae
J.P. Müller, 1832
Synonyms[1]
  • Uropeltana J.P. Müller, 1832
  • Uropeltacea J.P. Müller, 1832
  • Rhinophes Fitzinger, 1843
  • Uropeltidae Gray, 1845
  • Uropeltina Gray, 1858
  • Plecturina Gray, 1858
  • Rhinophidae Cope, 1900
  • Uropeltinae McDowell, 1975

The Uropeltidae, also commonly known as shield-tail snakes, shield-tailed snakes or earth snakes,[2] are a family of primitive, nonvenomous, burrowing snakes native to Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. The name is derived from the Greek words ura ('tail') and pelte ('shield'), indicating the presence of the large keratinous shield at the tip of the tail. Seven or eight genera are recognized, depending on whether Teretrurus rhodogaster is treated in its own genus or as part of Brachyophidium.[2][3] The family comprises over 50 species.[2] These snakes are not well known in terms of their diversity, biology, and natural history.

  1. ^ McDiarmid, R.W.; Campbell, J.A.; Touré, T.A. (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference Vol. 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. ^ a b c "Uropeltidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
  3. ^ Uropeltidae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 November 2008.