Common Bridal Snake

The Common Bridal Snake (Dryocalamus nympha) is a small non-venomous species found in southern India and Sri Lanka. It gets its name from the bridle-like patterns on its slender body that resemble the reins used to control horses. This snake usually has a glossy black or dark brown body marked with irregular white or grey bands. Its belly is creamy yellow and its head is flat and oval-shaped with a rounded snout. The eyes are noticeably large with vertical pupils which help it see better at night.

This is a nocturnal species that becomes active after dark. It is shy by nature but can be quite defensive if cornered often striking repeatedly. The Common Bridal Snake often enters houses while searching for prey and is good at climbing walls though it tends to lose grip and fall off which can surprise people. It feeds mainly on lizards but will eat frogs or other small animals if given the chance. Since very few specimens have been studied there is still a lot we don’t know about its behavior and life cycle.

Most individuals do not grow longer than 50 centimeters. It is assumed to lay eggs although its reproduction and growth patterns are not clearly understood. Because of its small size secretive habits and the lack of scientific data this snake remains one of the lesser-known reptiles of South Asia.