Rhinophis punctatus, or Müller's earth snake, is a species of snake in the Uropeltidae family. It is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.[1][2]

Rhinophis punctatus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Uropeltidae
Genus: Rhinophis
Species:
R. punctatus
Binomial name
Rhinophis punctatus

Description

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Yellowish dorsally and ventrally, each scale with a blackspot. However, the scales of the rows adjoining the vertebral row lack spots.

Adults may attain a total length of 39 cm (15+14 in).

Scalation very similar to Rhinophis oxyrhynchus. Differs in having a more slender body (diameter 47 to 49 times in total length) and a higher number of ventrals (236-246).[3]

References

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  1. ^ Rhinophis punctatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 March 2020.
  2. ^ Bamaradeniya, Channa N.B. The Fauna of Sri Lanka: Status of Taxonomy, Research and Conservation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IUCN, 2006. 163.
  3. ^ Boulenger, G.A. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families...Uropeltidæ... Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. p. 141.

Further reading

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  • Müller, J.P. 1832. Beiträge zur Anatomie und Naturgeschichte der Amphibien. Zeitschrift für Physiologie. Band 4. pp. 190–275, Plates XVIII-XXII. (Rhinophis punctata [sic], p. 248, Plate XXI, Figures 1-3).