Ceylon wolf snake

It is a member of the Colubridae family and is endemic to Sri Lanka. This snake features a black dorsal coloration, often marked with 13 - 20 distinct white rings, although these rings can become faint or even disappear entirely as the snake matures. The black bands continue down onto the underside but they are more faded. Scales are keeled and give off a dull rather than glossy look. Scale counts at midbody range between 17 to 19 rows. The number of ventral scales falls between 180 and 202, while the subcaudal scales are entire and number 42 to 64.

Visually looks similar to the Ceylon krait but krait's enlarged vertebral scales and other characteristics help to identify kraits from other similar snakes. Primarily nocturnal and terrestrial, Lycodon carinatus usually shelters under rocks, logs, or forest debris during daylight hours. Its diet mainly includes frogs, geckos, skinks and occasionally small, non-venomous snakes.

This species is oviparous, typically laying between 3 and 7 eggs at a time. Previously placed in the genus Cercaspis, Lycodon carinatus was reassigned to the Lycodon genus following a taxonomic revision by Pyron and colleagues in 2013. Can be found in lowland rainforest areas and sub montane forests.