Xenocalamus transvaalensis
Xenocalamus transvaalensis is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. The species is endemic to Africa. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.[2]
| Xenocalamus transvaalensis | |
|---|---|
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| Photograph by Dylan Leonard | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Atractaspididae |
| Genus: | Xenocalamus |
| Species: | X. transvaalensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Xenocalamus transvaalensis Methuen, 1919 | |
- Common names: Transvaal quill-snouted snake, Speckled quill-snouted snake
Geographic range
X. transvaalensis is found in Botswana, southern Mozambique, Republic of South Africa (former Northern Transvaal and former Zululand), and Zimbabwe.[3]
Description
X. transvaalensis is black dorsally, and white ventrally. Males may attain a total length (including tail) of 37 cm (14+1⁄2 in); females, 31.5 cm (12+3⁄8 in).[4]
Reproduction
In summer an adult female X. transvaalensis may lay two elongated eggs, 28 mm x 6 mm (1 1/16 in x 3/16 in).[4]
References
- Maritz, B.; Marais, J. (2018). "Xenocalamus transvaalensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T23102A115653979. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T23102A115653979.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- "Xenocalamus transvaalensis ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
- Species Xenocalamus transvaalensis at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
- Branch, Bill (1998). Field Guide to the Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. p. 64.
Further reading
- Methuen PA (1919). "Descriptions of a new snake from the Transvaal, together with a new diagnosis and key of the genus Xenocalamus, and of some Batrachia from Madagascar". Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1919: 349–355. (Xenocalamus transvaalensis, new species).
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