Sri Lankan keelback

නිහළුවා · nihaluwa

Balanophis ceylonensis

Mildly venomous Endemic

An endemic keelback (endemic genus Balanophis) with bold neck markings.

How to identify

1Brown body with pale-edged dark blotches

2Bright collar / neck markings

3Keeled scales

Good to know

Mildly venomous (rear-fanged) but of little danger to people. Clean the wound and monitor.

Up to 0.6 m

Length

Diurnal

Active

Frogs and toads

Diet

Where it's found

Wet zoneHill country

Wet-zone forest and marshy ground.