Indian rat snake

ගැරඬියා · garandiya

Ptyas mucosa

Non-venomous

A fast, large, harmless snake often mistaken for a cobra.

How to identify

1Long slender olive-brown body

2Black-edged scales towards the tail

3Large eye with round pupil

Good to know

Non-venomous and harmless. Clean the bite with soap and water, apply a dressing and watch for infection.

Up to 2.7 m

Length

Diurnal

Active

Rodents

Diet

Where it's found

Dry zoneWet zoneIntermediate zone

Paddy fields, gardens, scrub and around houses.