Striped Rhinophis

The striped rhinophis, or striped earth snake, is a recently described burrowing uropeltid endemic to Sri Lanka and known only from its type locality, Harasbedda near Ragala in the Central Province, in the wet zone of the central hills at about 1,460 m. All known specimens are believed to have been collected from soils in agricultural habitats (Wikipedia, general species account).

Males measure 218 to 285 mm in total length and females, from only two specimens, 262 to 286 mm. The head is small with a pointed snout, and regular narrow pale and dark stripes run along almost the whole body. Live colour is known only from a photograph, which shows an orange-brown background with dark stripes. Nationally Critically Endangered (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).