Trachischium fuscum

Trachischium fuscum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Subfamily:	incertae sedis
Genus:	Trachischium
Species:	T. fuscum
Binomial name
Trachischium fuscum (Blyth, 1854)
Synonyms
Calamaria fusca Blyth, 1854 Calamaria obscura-striata Blyth, 1854 Trachischium rugosum Günther, 1858 Trachischium fuscum – Günther, 1860 Ablabes gilgiticus Annandale, 1905 Eminophis lineolata Werner, 1924 Trachischium fuscum – M.A. Smith, 1943[1]

Trachischium fuscum, commonly known as the blackbelly worm-eating snake or the Darjeeling slender snake,^[2] is a species of colubrid snake, which is endemic to Asia. The specific name, fuscum, is Latin for "dusky" or "dark brown".^[3]

Geographic range

It is found in Nepal and India (Assam, Sikkim).

Description

As the common name implies, the venter is black or dark brown. The dorsum is also black or dark brown, and may have lighter longitudinal streaks. The dorsal scales are in 13 rows. Males have keeled scales on their sides in the anal region. Adults may attain 51 cm (20 inches) in total length, with a tail 6 cm (2¼ inches) long.^[4]

References

1. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
2. Das, Indraneil. 2002. A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of India. Ralph Curtis Books. Sanibel Island, Florida. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5 (Trachischium fuscum, p. 46.)
3. Mish, F.C., Editor in Chief. 2004. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition. Merriam-Webster. Springfield, Massachusetts. p. 388.
4. Boulenger, G.A. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History), Volume I. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I.-XXVIII. (Trachischium fuscum, pp. 297-299.)

Further reading

• Blyth, Edward. 1855. Notices and descriptions of various reptiles, new or little known [part 2]. Jour. Asiatic Soc. Bengal, Calcutta, 23 (3): 287-302 [1854].