Savanna vine snake
| Savanna vine snake | |
|---|---|
| Thelotornis capensis | |
| threat display | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Thelotornis |
| Species: | T. capensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Thelotornis capensis A. Smith, 1849
| |
The savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis), also known commonly, as the southern vine snake, is a species of highly venomous snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. There are two recognized subspecies.
Geographic distribution
Thelotornis capensis is found in southern Africa.[2]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of Thelotornis capensis are forest, savanna, and shrubland.[1]
Behavior
Thelotornis capensis is diurnal and semi-arboreal.[1]
Description
Thelotornis capensis is slender and has a long tail. The longest museum specimen is a male with a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 106 cm (42 in), a tail 62 cm (24 in) long, and a combined total length of 168 cm (66 in).[2][3]
Venom
Thelotornis capensis is venomous.[3] Venom is delivered by large grooved teeth at the rear of the upper jaw.[2] German herpetologist Robert Mertens died as the result of being bitten by this species.
Reproduction
Thelotornis capensis is oviparous.[1][2][3] Clutch size is 4–13 eggs.[1] The eggs are elongated and rather small, each measuring on average 36 mm (1.4 in) long and 16 mm (0.63 in) wide.[2]
Subspecies
Two subspecies of Thelotornis capensis are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[3]
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Thelotornis.
Etymology
The subspecific name, oatesi, honors British naturalist Frank Oates.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e Spawls, S. (2021). "Thelotornis capensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021 e.T164904938A120632972. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T164904938A120632972.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Branch, William R. (1994). "Thelotornis capensis". Bill Branch's Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. pp. 100–101 + Plates 18 & 31. ISBN 978-1-86825-575-7.
- ^ a b c d Species Thelotornis capensis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). "Oates, F.". The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. JHU Press. p. 193. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.
Further reading
- Smith, A (1849). "Thelotornis capensis, new species". Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa ... Reptilia. London: Smith, Elder, and Co.