The Gunther’s narrow-headed snake (Xylophis stenorhynchus) is a species of non-venomous snake that belongs to the family Uropeltidae. It is a small, burrowing species that is found in the Western Ghats of India. In this article, we will provide a detailed description of the Gunther’s narrow-headed snake, including its scalation, appearance, natural history, habitat, behavior, reproduction, location, and whether or not it is venomous. The Gunther’s narrow-headed snake is a small snake that typically measures between 20-30 cm in length. Its body is cylindrical and has a narrow head that is distinct from its body. The eyes are small and located on the sides of the head. The scales on the body are smooth and shiny, while the scales on the head are slightly keeled.
Scalation
The Gunther’s narrow-headed snake has a distinctive scalation pattern. It has 15 rows of smooth dorsal scales, with 213-237 ventral scales and 12-16 subcaudal scales. The anal plate is divided, and it has a single preocular and two postocular scales.
Appearance
The Gunther’s narrow-headed snake is a brownish-gray color with darker stripes running along the length of its body. Its ventral side is lighter in color, with white or yellowish scales. The head is darker in color than the body, with a lighter stripe running down the center of the head. The eyes are black, and the pupils are round.
Natural History
The Gunther’s narrow-headed snake is a burrowing species that is found in the moist forests of the Western Ghats. It is a fossorial species, spending most of its time underground in search of small invertebrates to feed on. It is active during the night and is rarely seen above ground.
Habitat
The Gunther’s narrow-headed snake is found in the Western Ghats, which is a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of India. It is found in moist evergreen forests, as well as in coffee and tea plantations.
Behavior
The Gunther’s narrow-headed snake is a non-venomous species and is considered harmless to humans. It is a secretive species and is rarely seen above ground. When threatened, it may coil its body and produce a musky odor.
Reproduction
The reproductive behavior of the Gunther’s narrow-headed snake is not well known. It is believed to be an oviparous species, with females laying eggs in the soil.
Location
The Gunther’s narrow-headed snake is found in India, specifically in the Western Ghats, which is located in the southern part of the country.
Venomous or Non-venomous
The Gunther’s narrow-headed snake is a non-venomous species and is considered harmless to humans. It does not produce venom, and its bite is not dangerous.
The Gunther’s narrow-headed snake is a small, burrowing species that is found in the Western Ghats of India. It is a non-venomous species and is considered harmless to humans. Its scalation and appearance are distinctive, with a brownish-gray color and darker stripes running along the length of its body. Its natural history and behavior are also unique, with it spending most of its time underground in search of small invertebrates to feed on. Overall, the Gunther’s narrow-headed snake is an interesting species that is well adapted to life in the forests of the Western Ghats.
