Xenopeltidae

Taxobox
name = Xenopeltidae

---

image_caption = Sunbeam snake, "X. unicolor"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
infraordo = Alethinophidia
familia = Xenopeltidae
familia_authority = Bonaparte, 1845
genus = "Xenopeltis"
genus_authority = Reinwardt, 1827
synonyms = * Scaptophes - Fitzinger, 1843
* Xenopeltina - Bonaparte, 1845
* Tortricidae - Jan, 1863
* Xenopeltidae - Cope, 1864
* Xenopeltinae - Nopsca, 1928McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).] ----
* "Xenopeltis" - F. Boie, 1926
* "Xenopeltis" - Reinwardt "In" F. Boie, 1927

:"Common names: sunbeam snakes.ITIS|ID=209608|taxon=Xenopeltidae|year=2007|date=17 August] "The Xenopeltidae are a monotypic family of snakes created to the genus "Xenopeltis", which is found in Southeast Asia. Its members are known for their highly iridescent scales. Currently, two species are recognized and no subspecies.ITIS|ID=209609|taxon="Xenopeltis"|year=2007|date=17 August]

Description

Adults can grow up to 1.3 m (51 in) in length.Burnie D, Wilson DE. 2001. Animal. Dorling Kindersley. 624 pp. ISBN 0-7894-7764-5.] The head scales are made up of large plates much like those of the Colubridae, while the ventral scales are only slightly reduced. Pelvic vestiges are not present.NRDB family|family=Xenopeltidae|date=19 August|year=2007]

The dorsal color pattern is a reddish brown, brown, or blackish color. The belly is an unpatterned whitish-gray.Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.] The scales are highly iridescent, creating a beautiful display of colors in the light.

Behavior and diet

These snakes are fossorial, spending much of their time hidden. They emerge at dusk to actively forage for frogs, other snakes, and small mammals.

Geographic range

Found in Southeast Asia from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, east through Myanmar to southern China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula and the East Indies to Sulawesi, as well as the Philippines.

pecies

"*) Not including the nominate subspecies."
^T) Type species.

Captivity

These snakes are not very commonly kept as pets because of their high mortality rate in captivity. Shipping and the first six months in captivity are very stressful and often kill captive snakes. They also have very little tolerance of handling, with the resulting stress leading to premature death. Captive specimens should be provided with a temperature gradient and a substrate that is easy to burrow in. The cage should be kept warm, but not hot, and they should be left alone.

ee also

*
*
* List of snakes, overview of all snake genera.

References