Sri Lankan Colubrid Snakes

At some point of our lives we have come across the words ‘Mapila’, ‘Ahatulla’ or ‘Malsara’ ; the feared , mysterious snakes that come in a group of seven and suck the blood of sleeping people ; the eye-plucking monsters...... the stories go on. But these fascinating snakes are far more innocent and helpful to humans than we think. This article will expose the unremarkable and splendid colubrid snakes in Sri Lanka, with focus on the species diversity according to their habitats. The article will also reveal their current status, threats faced by these animals and their conservation in the country.