OPHIOPHAGUS. 
Ophiophagus Elaps. 
Hamadryad (Giinther), Sunkerchor (Native), Ai raj in Orissa (Fayrer). 
This is a hooded snake, varying in length, in the adult state, from 
twelve to fourteen feet. It is powerful, active, and aggressive. 
Giinther describes the genus as follows :—‘‘ Body rather elongate ; 
tail of proportionate length ; head rather short, depressed, scarcely 
distinct from neck, which is dilatable ; occipitals surrounded by three 
pairs of large shields, the two anterior of which are temporals. Nostril 
between two nasals. Loreal none; one or two pre-, three post-oculars. 
Scales smooth, much imbricate, in transverse rows, in fifteen series 
round the body, but m many more round the neck; those of the 
vertebral series are rather larger than the others, ventrals more than 
200; anal entire; anterior sub-caudals simple, posterior two-rowed, 
sometimes all bifid. Maxillary with a large fang in front, which is 
perforated at the end, showing a longitudinal groove in front ; a second 
small simple tooth at some distance behind the fang.” 
Varieties dependent upon “ age and locality” :— 
““q, Olive green above; the shields of the head, the scales of the 
neck, hinder part of the body and of the tail edged with black ; trunk 
with numerous oblique, alternate black and white bands converging 
towards the head ; lower parts marbled with blackish, or uniform pale 
greenish. 
“8, Brownish-olive, uniform anteriorly, with the scales black-edged 
posteriorly ; each scale of the tail with a very distinct white, black-edged 
ocellus, as in Piyas mucosus. 
“y, Uniform brownish black, scales of the hinder part of the body 
and of the tail somewhat lighter in the centre ; all the lower parts black, 
except the chin and throat, which are yellow.” - 
+e. 
