Calamaria

Calamaria is a large genus of dwarf burrowing snakes of the family Colubridae. It contains 62 recognized species. They are found in Asia. Species in the genus Calamaria share the following characteristics. The eight to 11 maxillary teeth are subequal; the anterior mandibular teeth are somewhat longer than the posterior ones. The head is not distinct from neck; the eye is small, with a round pupil; the nostril is pierced in a minute nasal scale. No loreal, internasal, or temporal scales are present; the preocular can be present or absent; the parietals contact the labials. The body is cylindrical, with smooth dorsal scales, without apical pits, in 13 rows. The tail is short; the subcaudals are paired. Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Calamaria.