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Oligodon nikhili

Oligodon nikhili, known commonly as Nikhil's kukri snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Palani Hills of southern India.

Etymology

Both the specific name, nikhili, and the common name, Nikhil's kukri snake, are in honor of Nikhil Whitaker (born 1979), the son of herpetologist Romulus Whitaker.

Description

The holotype of Oligodon nikhili, an adult male, has a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of , plus a tail length of . The smooth dorsal scales of the body are arranged in 17 rows on the neck, in 15 rows at midbody, and in 15 rows slightly anterior to the vent. The holotype has 144 ventrals, a divided anal scale, and 33 pairs of subcaudals.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Oligodon nikhili is forest, at elevations of approximately .

Behavior

Oligodon nikhili is terrestrial.

Reproduction

Oligodon nikhili is oviparous.

References

Further reading

  • xxviii + 1,209 pp. (Oligodon nikhili, p. 500).