Trinket snake
The Common trinket snake (Coelognathus helena) is a nonvenomous constrictor species of colubrid snake native to South Asia. The specific name of this snake, 'helena', is thought to be a reference to Helen of Troy, considered by many to be the epitome of female beauty and the most beautiful woman in the world.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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Non-venomousNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withAdult Common trinket snakes are darker brown, with a transverse series of squarish black spots, or with more or less distinct traces of the color pattern of the young. There is a vertical black streak below the eye and an oblique black streak behind the eye. Some specimens have a white, black-edged collar; others have two black longitudinal streaks on the head; and others are intermediate in this respect. The lower parts are yellowish, with or without a few small black spots, sometimes with a more or less distinct festooned marking on each side. The young are pale brown above, with black crossbands, each crossband enclosing four to six white ocelli.
Common trinket snakes are found in Sri Lanka, southern India, Pakistan (Shangla), Nepal, and Bangladesh. They inhabit forests both in lowland and hilly areas and also visit human habitations.
Common trinket snakes are mainly terrestrial and are usually found in termite mounds, but they also climb trees, shelter in wood piles, leaf litter, and dense vegetation. They are diurnal and highly active creatures. They are noted for their temper and will strike repeatedly if molested. The males of this species are generally more aggressive than the females. Their bites are often very damaging due to their inward-pointing teeth.
Common trinket snakes are carnivores. Their diet includes rodents, other small mammals, and lizards.
Common trinket snakes can reproduce throughout the year. Females of this species are oviparous and lay 6 to 12 eggs.
There are no major threats to this species at present.
According to IUCN Red List, the Common trinket snake is locally common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
