Pale-headed snake
The pale-headed snake[4] (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae.[5] The species is endemic to Australia.
| Pale-headed snake | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Hoplocephalus |
| Species: | H. bitorquatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hoplocephalus bitorquatus (Jan, 1859) | |
| Synonyms[2][3] | |
Taxonomy
The species was originally described as Alecto bitorquata by Giorgio Jan in 1859.[6][7]
Description
H. bitorquatus may attain a total length of 90 cm (35 in), which includes a tail 9.5 cm (3.7 in) long. The top of the head is pale olive, with a bright yellow occipital blotch, which is edged with black. The body is dark olive dorsally, and may have a darker vertebral streak. Ventrally, it is greyish olive or brown.[3]
Distribution and habitat
H. bitorquatus is found on the eastern coast of Australia, from Cape York Peninsula in Queensland to Gosford in New South Wales.[8] The preferred natural habitat of H. bitorquatus is forest.[1]
Diet
H. bitorquatus preys predominantly upon tree frogs, but also eats small lizards and small mammals.[1]
Reproduction
H. bitorquatus is viviparous.[2]
References
- Vanderduys, E.; Venz, M.; Wilson, S.; Hobson, R.; Greenlees, M.; Dickman, C.; Sanderson, C. (2018). "Hoplocephalus bitorquatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T102710108A102710283. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T102710108A102710283.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- Species Hoplocephalus bitorquatus at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- Boulenger GA (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III. Containing the Colubridæ (Opisthoglyphæ and Proteroglyphæ) ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I–XXV. (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus, pp. 349–350).
- "Pale-headed Snake – profile". Office of Environment and Heritage (New South Wales). Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- "Species profile – Hoplocephalus bitorquatus (pale-headed snake)". Department of Environment and Science (Queensland). Government of Queensland. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- "Hoplocephalus bitorquatus (Jan, 1859)". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- Giorgio Jan (1859). "Plan d'une iconographie descriptive des ophidiens et description sommaire de nouvelles espèces de serpents". Revue et magasin de zoologie pure et appliquée (in French). 11: 122 -130 [128]. ISSN 1259-6523. Wikidata Q108828733.
- Beatson, Cecilie (19 November 2020). "Pale-headed Snake". Australian Museum. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
Further reading
- Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN 978-0643100350.
- Wilson S, Swan G (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN 978-1921517280.