Micrelaps boettgeri

Micrelaps boettgeri
Micrelaps boettgeri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Atractaspididae
Genus: Micrelaps
Species: M. boettgeri
Binomial name
Micrelaps boettgeri
Boulenger, 1896

Micrelaps boettgeri, or Boettger's two-headed snake, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the Atractaspididae family.[1] It is endemic to Africa.[2]

Contents

Etymology

The specific name, boettgeri, is in honor of German herpetologist Oskar Boettger, author of the genus Micrelaps.

Geographic range

Boettger's two-headed snake is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.[3]

Description

Dorsally blackish brown, each scale with a terminal round white spot. Upper surface of head and nape of neck black. Ventrals edged with white.

The type specimen, a female, is 23.5 cm (9¼ inches) in total length, with a tail 2 cm (¾ inch) long.

Dorsal scales smooth, in 15 rows at midbody (in 17 rows on neck). Ventrals 203-221; anal plate divided; subcaudals 22-23, also divided (in two rows).

Portion of rostral visible from above as long as its distance from the frontal. Internasals slightly broader than long, shorter than the prefrontals. Frontal small, 1½ times as long as broad, as long as its distance from the rostral, much shorter than the parietals. One postocular. Temporals 1+1. Seven upper labials, third and fourth entering the eye, fifth forming a suture with the parietal. Four lower labials in contact with the anterior chin shield. Two pairs of chin shields, the anterior pair and the posterior pair subequal in size.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Micrelaps". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=700186. Retrieved 17 August 2007. 
  2. ^ Genus Micrelaps at The Reptile Database. Accessed 17 August 2007.
  3. ^ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  4. ^ Boulenger, G.A. 1896. A list of the reptiles and batrachians collected by the late Prince Eugenio Ruspoli in Somaliland and Gallaland in 1893. Annali Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova, Giacomo Doria (2)17:5-14.
This Alethinophidia article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.