Added 18 October 2024. Last updated 6 November 2024: updated Brachyophidium and added links to Plectrurus and Teretrurus.
Introduction
Boulenger gives the characteristics of this family as follows: cranial bones solidly united; transpalatine present; pterygoid not extending to quadrate or mandible; no supratemporal; quadrate very small; prefrontals in contact with nasals. Mandible with coronoid bone. Both jaws toothed; teeth small and few.
Palate usually toothless; a few palatine teeth sometimes present in Melanophidium and Platyplectrurus.
Many S Indian species seem to be centred on the Travancore Hills of India.
These snakes are very rarely if ever seen in herpetoculture.
|
Genus |
Common Name |
Distribution |
No. of species |
Notes |
|
Brachyophidium |
Palni Mountain Burrowing Snake |
S India |
1 |
Now apparently reassigned to Teretrurus: see Reptile Database entry. |
|
Black Earth Snakes |
S India |
4 |
|
|
|
Thorntail Snakes |
S India, Sri Lanka |
2 |
|
|
|
Burrowing Snakes |
S India |
4 |
|
|
|
Karnataka Burrowing Snake |
S India |
1 |
|
|
|
Earth Snakes |
S India and Sri Lanka |
12 |
|
|
|
Burrowing- and Earth Snakes |
S India |
4 |
|
|
|
Earth Snakes |
Mostly S India, some in Sri Lanka |
23 |
|
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