Reptiles ‹‹ Go Back
This is the species with the most potent venom in the country. It is most common in the dry zone but is also found in the intermediate and the drier lower hill areas of the country. Most bites are recorded in the night from people who sleep on the floor. Other than in Sri Lanka this species is found in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
The conservation status of this species is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012).
I have seen this species at many locations in the dry zone including Ritigala, Udawalawa, Monaragala, Pollonnaruwa, Anuradapura, Hettipola and Habarana. In the intermediate zone I have seen a road kill of this species at Thihagoda close to Matara.
The behavior of this snake changes from docile during daytime and active/aggressive at night.
In Wilpattu I found this species at Hunuwilagama and released it down Ikirigollawa road.