6; 



Chapter X. 



THE COMMON BOIDAE, VIPERIDAE, 

 AND COLUBRIDAE OF CEYLON.* 



Only one specimen of the Boidae is to be 

 found in Ceylon — the Python Molurus. 



Python Molurus. 



Head an elongated triangle, 11-13 upper 

 labials, the two in front pitted ; 17 or 18 lower 

 labials. Frontal divided by a median line. Two 

 prae-oculars, and three or four post-oculars. 

 Scales in 60 to 70 rows. Ventrals 242-265, anal 

 entire, sub-caudals 60-72. Tail prehensile. 



Colour, yellowish or brown, with a vertebral 

 series of large black or brown blotches, supple- 

 mented by lateral series of small black blotches. 

 Upper surface of head pink, with a dark " split 

 pointed spear" mark, an offset of the marking q^'^^^ boidae. 

 the nape. Ventrals t yellowish and spotted near 

 edges. Grows to over 20 feet, but in Ceylon seldom 

 exceeds 12 feet. It has vestiges of rudimentary 

 hind legs protruding through the skin. 



This snake is nocturnal, and is almost blind 

 in the daytime. It is very fond of water, and in- 

 cubates its eggs by coiling round them. It feeds 

 on small animals and birds. 



Although it has not yet been found in Ceylon, 

 the Gongylophis is an interesting snake, and does 



* In preparing this chapter I have obtained much valuable 

 information from Mr. Boulenger's volume on " Reptilia and 

 Batrachia of British India." 



t Where the colour of the ventrals only is given, the sub- 

 caudals are of the same colour, the colour of the ventrals and the 

 sub-caudals being nearly always uniform. 



