| Achalinus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Formosa odd-scaled snake, Achalinus f. formosanus | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Xenodermidae |
| Genus: | Achalinus W. Peters, 1869[1] |
Achalinus (common name: odd-scaled snakes)[2] is a genus of harmless snakes in the family Xenodermidae. Species of the genus are found in China, Japan, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam. Ten species are recognized as being valid.[1][3] Achalinus was previously placed in Colubridae (along with other xenodermids).[4] The nickname "odd-scaled" is due to the fact that their dorsal scales do not overlap one another as in most snakes, but instead are spread out and lie individually similar to pieces of a puzzle. Odd-scaled snakes are known to be burrowers that crawl below the fallen leaves of the forest.
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