Platyceps bholanathi
Platyceps bholanathi (Nagarjun racer) is a slender, fast-moving snake in the Colubridae family. It was first described in 1976 from Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in Andhra Pradesh and is also known by several common names, including Nagarjun Sagar racer, Nagarjunasagar racer, Nagarjuna racer, Bhola Nath's racer, and Sharma's racer.
Where it lives
This species is found in peninsular India, especially in rocky hills and outcrops of the Eastern Ghats and the Deccan Plateau. Its known range includes Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, with records from Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Tirupati, Bellary, Gingee, and Hosur. It favors rocky habitats and is active during the day.
What it looks like and how it moves
Platyceps bholanathi is a slender snake with a rich brown dorsal color and white with black-edged spots along the back. The belly is white. It is a diurnal (daytime) snake and moves quickly.
What it eats
Its diet includes lizards, small mammals, and birds.
Conservation status
The species is listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN (IUCN 3.1), meaning there isn’t enough information to determine its risk of extinction.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 23:21 (CET).