Wolf snake

Photographed by © Natasha Mhatre

Scientific Name: Lycodon aulicus

Nick Name: Indian Wolf Snake, Wolf snake

Size: 

• Adult: 30 cm
• When born: 14 cm
• Maximum: 80 cm

Type: Non Venomous Snake

Appearance:  This serpent has a small slender body with or without bright cross bands. It has small shiny scales. Head bears large jet black eyes. This snake ressembles Krait to a greater extent. The fangs are situated in the front which ressemble those of poisonous snakes a lot, but these snakes are totally non venomous. The name wolf snake reffers to these fangs which it uses to catch its prey.

   The common wolf snakes are grey, brown or black in coloration. They may or may not posses a set of 10 - 12 whitish or yellowish stripes. Their jet black eyes are a directed a bit outwards. Head is small and flat. The under side of the snake is white without bearing any marks or spots. In India, there are around 7 sub species of Wolf snakes.

Nature: They are totally nocturnal in nature. They can climb the smooth surface of walls and the trees with a lot of ease.

   The wolf snake i'd caught was not at all aggressive. It was not even bothered of me holding it. So i don't feel these are really nasty snakes if handled gently. However, it should be kept it mind that these are WOLF snakes; their razor sharp teeth can inflict some damage to your pretty skin if they don find you pleasing . . .

Distribution: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India (north to Himalyas and Assam; Maharashtra), Nepal, Myanmar (= Burma), Thailand (incl. Phuket), W Malaysia, Indonesia (southward as far as Timor), Philippines, Seychelles, Mascarenes, Mauritius (introduced), S China (from Fujian and Guangdong westward to Yunnan, incl. Hong Kong)

Habitat: In the hills, it occurs at an elevation of about 2000 mts.

Feeds on: Small lizards, frogs, skinks etc

Reproduction: In chennai these snakes lay around 5 - 7 eggs during the months of December - January. The young snakes that hatch out of the eggs are brightly colored.

Status: As stated above, these snakes are often mistaken for the deadly Kraits. Their front fangs also give a false impression of a venomous snake. This snake though found in many regions, is not available in great numbers.

Side Line:

• It is often mistaken for the Kraits which are poisonous and deadly.

• The fangs located in the front of its buccal cavity are meant to grab hold of the prey. It is often mistaken for the venomous snakes because of these fangs.