Biology:Amplorhinus

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Short description: Genus of snakes

Amplorhinus
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pseudoxyrhophiidae
Subfamily: Amplorhininae
Genus: Amplorhinus
A. Smith, 1847
Species:
A. multimaculatus
Binomial name
Amplorhinus multimaculatus
A. Smith, 1847
Synonyms[2]
  • Amplorhinus multimaculatus
    A. Smith, 1947
  • Dipsas smithi
    — A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron &
    A.H.A. Duméril, 1854
  • Coronella multimaculatus
    — Günther, 1858
  • Psammophylax multimaculatus
    — Jan, 1863
  • Amplorhinus multimaculatus
    — Boulenger, 1896

Amplorhinus multimaculatus, commonly known as the many-spotted snake or the Cape reed snake, is a species of mildly venomous snake in the family Pseudoxyrhophiidae.[2] The species, which is native to southern Africa, is monotypic (only one species in the genus) in the genus Amplorhinus.

Geographic range

A. multimaculatus is found in Mozambique, South Africa , and Zimbabwe.[1][2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of A. multimaculatus are freshwater wetlands, grassland, shrubland, and forest.[1]

Description

A small species, A. multimaculatus may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 45 cm (18 in).[3]

Diet

A. multimaculatus preys on frogs and lizards.[3]

Reproduction

A. multimaculatus is viviparous.[2] Usually four to eight young are born in late summer. Each neonate measures 12.5–20 cm (4.9–7.9 in) in total length (including tail).[3]

Venom

If a human is bitten by A. multimaculatus, the venom may cause localized swelling, inflammation, and pain. The venom is delivered by enlarged grooved teeth at the rear of the mouth.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Maritz, B.; Marais, J. (2018). "Amplorhinus multimaculatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T110133584A115672711. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T110133584A115672711.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/110133584/115672711. Retrieved 18 November 2021. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Amplorhinus multimaculatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 16 October 2018.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa Third Revised Edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Amplorhinus multimaculatus, pp. 82–83 + Plate 18).

Further reading

  • 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. (Amplorhinus multimaculatus, p. 125).
  • Smith A (1847). Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected during an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa:" Together with a Summary of African Zoology, and an Inquiry into the Geographical Ranges of Species in that Quarter of the Globe. London: Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury. (Smith, Elder and Co., printers). Plates + unnumbered pages of text. (Amplorhinus multimaculatus, new species, Plate LVII).


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