Pareas macularius, the mountain slug snake, is a species of snake found in southeast Asia and surrounding countries.
Ochre brown to red-brown with somewhat reticulated (having a grid- or network-like pattern) bars formed by particoloured scalesâÂÂwhite in front and deep claret brown behindâÂÂthat give the snake a half-banded, half-spotted appearance. A white nuchal collar mottled with claret-red is usually present. Brown spotted and mottled belly.
Fifteen rows of smooth dorsal scales are present across the entire body, though they may be weakly keeled posteriorly. Possesses 6 or 7 supralabial scales, anteriorly high and narrow; 5 to 7 subocular scales, not contacting the labial scales; One loreal scale; Subequal frontal scales; 8 sublabial scales; & 3 pairs of chin shields.
Like its congeners, Pareas macularius is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal, oviparous snail and slug specialist.
Pareas macularius can be found across much of southeastern Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and southern China.
The specific name macularius derives from the Latin word macula meaning "spot" or "blemish", referring to the snake's particolour spotted markings.