Ceylonese cylinder snake

The Ceylonese cylinder snake (Cylindrophis maculatus) is a small, non-venomous snake found only in Sri Lanka. It lives in plains and hilly areas up to 1000 meters, in places like Kandy, Peradeniya, Gampola, and Nikaweratiya. Locally, it is called “Depath Naya” or “Wataulla” in Sinhala. This snake is easily recognized by its two rows of reddish-brown spots along the back, outlined in black, and a white belly marked with black patterns. It grows to about 35 cm in length. When threatened, it has a unique defense: instead of biting, it flattens its body, curls its tail forward, and hides its head under its body to confuse predators.

The cylinder snake is mostly active at night and spends the day hidden under stones, logs, or leaf litter. It mainly feeds on other small snakes, but it can also eat earthworms and insects. Unlike egg-laying snakes, this species is ovoviviparous, meaning it gives birth to live young. A single snake can give birth to between 1 and 15 babies, each about 10–19 cm long. Though not often seen, this secretive snake plays an important role in controlling small reptile and insect populations in its habitat.