XYLOPHIS DEEPAKI

• A tiny snake “Xylophis deepaki” has been named in honour of Indian herpetologist Deepak Veerappan for his contribution in erecting a new subfamily Xylophiinae to accommodate wood snakes.
• The common name suggested for the species is ‘Deepak’s wood snake’.

About Xylophis deepaki:

• It is a tiny snake of just 20 cm length with iridescent scales.
• It was first found on a coconut plantation in Kanyakumari.
• It is now reported to be an endemic species of Tamil Nadu and also been sighted in some parts of the southern Western Ghats.
• It is found in the drier regions and in lower altitudes around Agasthyamalai hills.