The Seychelles wolf snake (Lycognathophis seychellensis) is a species of snake in the superfamily Colubroidea. It is monotypic within the genus Lycognathophis.[1] The Neo-Latin name, Lycognathophis, is derived from the Greek words λύκος (lykos) meaning "wolf", γνάθος (gnathos) meaning "jaw", and όφις (ophis) meaning "snake", referring to the snake's dentition.[2]
It is endemic to Seychelles.
This species has 20-22 large, subequal maxillary teeth and its anterior mandibular teeth are very large, much larger than in the posterior. Its head is very distinct from the neck. The eye is moderate, with a vertically elliptic pupil but no loreal shield. Body elongate; dorsal scales keeled, with apical pits, in 17 rows. Tail long; anal divided; subcaudals paired. Ventrals 184-202; subcaudals 92-110.
Dorsally yellowish or grayish brown, uniform or with dark brown spots; dark streak on each side of head, passing through eye; upper lip yellowish, usually with brown dots; posteriorly four series of brown spots, confluent into stripes on tail. Ventrally yellowish, usually powdered or dotted with brown; a brown spot at each outer end of anterior ventrals.
Adults may attain 1 m (40 inches) in total length, with a tail 31 cm (12 inches) long.
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
It is threatened by habitat loss.