Neelaps calonotos
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Neelaps
Species:
N. calonotos
Binomial name
Neelaps calonotos
Synonyms[2]

Neelaps calonotos, also known commonly as the black-striped burrowing snake, the black-striped snake, and the western black-striped snake, is a species of mildly venomous burrowing snake endemic to Australia. The specific epithet calonotos ("beautiful-backed") refers to the patterning on the upper surface of the body.[3]

Description

Neelaps calanotos rarely grows to a total length (including tail) of more than 28 cm (11 in), and is considered to be Australia's smallest venomous snake. Females are larger than males. Dorsally, it is reddish-orange, with a narrow black stripe along the back. The belly is whitish. Three black patches cover the snout, top of the head, and the nape.[4]

Reproduction

Neelaps calonotos is oviparous, with an average clutch size of four (range 2–6).[3]

Behaviour and diet

Neelaps calonotos is nocturnal, staying in loose sand during the day and preying on small animals such as lizards at night.[4]

Geographic range and habitat

Neelaps calonotos occurs in coastal south-western Western Australia.[3] It lives in dunes as well as open woodlands and shrublands with sandy soils.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Gaikhorst G, Valentine L, Craig M, Sanderson C, Ford S, Teale R (2018) [amended version of 2017 assessment]. "Neelaps calonotus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T20230A136221347. Retrieved 3 June 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ Species Neelaps calonotos at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  3. 1 2 3 "Black-striped burrowing snake". Australian Reptile Online Database. Stewart Macdonald. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "western black-striped snake". Britannica Kids. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2 June 2021.

Further reading

  • Boulenger GA (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the Colubridæ (Opisthoglyphæ and Proteroglyphæ), Amblycephalidæ, and Viperidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natrural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I–XXV. (Furina calonota, p. 407).
  • Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN 978-0643100350.
  • Duméril A-M-C, Bibron G, Duméril A[-H-A] (1854). Erpétologie générale ou histoire naturelle complète des reptiles. Tome septième [Volume 7]. Deuxième partie [Part 2]. Comprenant l'histoire des serpents venimeux. Paris: Roret. xii + pp. 781–1536. (Furina calonotos, new species, pp. 1241–1242).
  • Glauert L (1960). A Handbook of the Snakes of Western Australia, Second Edition. Perth: Western Australian Naturalists' Club. 62 pp.
  • Sanders KL, Lee MSY, Leys R, Foster R, Keogh JS (2008). "Molecular phylogeny and divergence dates for Australasian elapids and sea snakes (hydrophiinae): evidence from seven genes for rapid evolutionary radiations". Journal of Evolutionary Biology 21 (3): 682–695.
  • Wilson S, Swan G (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN 978-1921517280.


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