Monday, November 27, 2023

Olive Keelback/දිය වර්ණයා/කඩොලා [Diya warnaya/Kadola] (Atretium schistosum)

 A non-venomous aquatic snake inhabiting damp places near water bodies such as streams, ponds, wells, paddy fields as well as brackish habitats of mangroves and lagoons from lowlands to about 1000m elevations. It active during the day time and feeds mainly on frogs and fish. Also takes tadpole, aquatic insects, mosquito larva and crabs and other crustaceans. Olive Keelback is a good swimmer and diver which also climbs low bushes near water. It is an oviparous snake breeding during the rainy season from December to April. It lays 10 - 30 eggs inside crevices, under logs or in leaf litter among stones near water. 

No comments:

Post a Comment