Plectrurus perrotetii
Species of snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Plectrurus perroteti, commonly known as the Nilgiri burrowing snake or Perrotet's shield-tail snake,[1] is a species of harmless snake in the family Uropeltidae. The species is endemic to India.
| Plectrurus perotteti | |
|---|---|
| |
| Nilgiri burrowing snake or Perrotet's shield-tail snake | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Uropeltidae |
| Genus: | Plectrurus |
| Species: | P. perroteti |
| Binomial name | |
| Plectrurus perroteti | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Etymology
The specific name, perrotetii or perroteti, is in honour of French naturalist George Samuel Perrottet (1793–1867).[2]
Geographic range
P. perroteti is found in the Western Ghats and hills of southern India.
Description
P. perroteti is a small snake, growing to a maximum of 44 cm (17+1⁄4 in) in total length (including tail). The head is pointed, and the tail is blunt. It has smooth, glossy scales and is brown in colour.
Biology
Like the common worm snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus), Plectrurus perroteti is also often mistaken for earthworms, upon which it feeds. It is considered an endangered species, and little else is known about this snake.
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