Iridescent Shieldtail

The Iridescent Shieldtail, Melanophidium bilineatum, also known as the two-lined black Shieldtail, is a species of snake found in the Western Ghats. This species is known only from three specimens studied and very little is known about it in the wild.

It was described from specimens obtained by Richard Henry Beddome from near the summit of three different mountains at an elevation of 5000 feet. It is iridescent black both above and below and separated by a broad yellow stripe.

Photo by Sandilya Theuerkauf