Uropeltis ceylanica | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Uropeltidae |
Genus: | Uropeltis |
Species: | U. ceylanica
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Binomial name | |
Uropeltis ceylanica Cuvier, 1829
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Synonyms[2] | |
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Uropeltis ceylanica is a species of nonvenomous shieldtail snake in the family Uropeltidae. The species is endemic to the Western Ghats of South India. No subspecies are currently recognized as being valid, but the presence of several synonyms, many recently resurrected, calls for further taxonomic studies of this species complex.[3] It is a burrowing snake with a pointy head equipped to penetrate the soil.[citation needed] It has a thick tail which looks as if it has been cut at an angle.[citation needed] In Kerala it's called iru thala moori, which means two headed organism, as the tail end looks like another head.[citation needed] It primarily eats earth worms.[citation needed]