Common Wolf Snake/අළු රදනකයා/ අළු පොළඟා [Alu Radanakaya/Alu Polanga] (Lycodon aulicus)

A very common, non-venomous, terrestrial snake occurs in secondary forests and anthropogenic areas from low country to the hills up to about 1000 m a.s.l. Nocturnal and hides in crevices of loose brickworks, under flower pots, stacks of wood, logs, leaf litter, rubbish heaps and even in houses during the day time. Common Wolf Snake is also known as 'House Snake'' since it frequently enters houses at night (So it is often mistaken for the highly venomous Kraits and killed.) It is also a good climber. When cornered it hides its head underneath the coils of its body (See top left picture) and sometimes vibrates its tail. Common Wolf Snake is an aggressive snake and bites savagely when picked up and handled. It feeds on frogs, geckoes, skinks, rats and other lizards. It lays 5 to 15 eggs.