Large Shieldtail Snake

The large shieldtail snake is a burrowing uropeltid endemic to Sri Lanka, found in central and southern Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces from near sea level to 900 m. Two appearance types are described, 'grandis' and 'pardalis', with no complete data tying specific features to them. The 'grandis' type is larger, recorded at about 300 to 510 mm, dark brown with darker spots and a pale yellow belly, while the 'pardalis' type is 148 to 230 mm, blackish-brown with scattered whitish spots (Wikipedia, general species account).

Shieldtail snakes in general feed mostly on earthworms, which make up 80 to 90 per cent of stomach contents, and may also eat termites, earwigs and caterpillars (a general account of the group, not specific to this species).