title: Lycodon carinatus
text: # Lycodon carinatus
  
  Lycodon carianatus is a snake of the Colubridae family. It is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka. The snake is commonly known as the Ceylon wolf snake, and as දාර කරවලා (Daara Karawala) or දාර රදනකයා (daara radanakayaa) in Sinhala.
  
  ## Description
  
  Dorsal side black with 19 distinct white rings. These may be reduced or completely absent in adults. Black bands extend to venter, but are fairly diffuse. Scales are keeled and dull in appearance. Midbody scale rows 17-19. Ventrals 180-202. Subcaudals entire 42-64.
  
  ## Ecology
  
  Nocturnal and terrestrial, hiding under rubble in forests during the day. Diet comprises frogs, geckos, skinks and small non-venomous snakes.
  
  ## Reproduction
  
  Lycodon carinatus is oviparous, laying 4 to 7 eggs at a time.
  
  ## Taxonomy Updates
  
  This species has been shifted to the genus Lycodon in 2013 (PYRON et al. 2013) from previously known genus Cercaspis
  
  