Shield-tailed snake
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The Uropeltidae (shieldtail snakes) is a family of small burrowing snakes containing 8 genera and 47 species, classified in the Henophidia superfamily. The family name is derived from the Greek words ura ("tail") and pelte ("shield"), indicating the presence of a large keratinous shield at the tip of their tail. They are found only in the southern part of India and Ceylon. The cylindrical body is covered with smooth scales which are larger on the ventral than on the dorsal surface. With the exception of Platyplectrurus the eye is covered with an ocular scale. In most species the short tail ends with a large shield. Teeth are present in both the upper and lower jaws. They feed mostly on invertebrates, particularly earth worms. The snakes are ovoviviparous.
[edit] Genera within Uropeltidae
- Mountain Borrowing Snake, Brachyophidium (Wall, 1921)
- Black Earth Snake, Melanophidium, (Gunther 1864)
- Thorntail Snake, Platyplectrurus, (Gunther 1868)
- Shieldtail Snake, Plectrurus (Dumeril, 1851)
- Large Shieldtail Snake, Pseudotyphlops (Schlengel, 1839)
- Rhinocerps Earth Snake, Rhinophis (Hemprich, 1820)
- Purple-red Earth Snake, Teretrurus (Beddome, 1887)
- Indian Earth Snake, Uropeltis (Cuvier, 1829)
[edit] Former Genus of this family:
- Dwarf Pipe Snakes, Anomochilus
- Asian Pipe Snakes, Cylindrophis
[edit] External links
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fr:Uropeltidae lt:Skydauodegės gyvatės nl:Schildstaartslangen pt:Uropeltidae fi:Kilpipyrstökäärmeet
