Biology:Yellow-faced whipsnake
| Yellow-faced whipsnake | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Demansia |
| Species: | D. psammophis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Demansia psammophis (Schlegel, 1837)
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
The yellow-faced whip snake (Demansia psammophis) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae, a family containing many dangerous snakes.
Description
Demansia psammophis is a long thin snake with a narrow head. Dorsally, it is greyish green to grayish blue in colour. Below the eye is a black "comma"-like marking which extends to the edge of the lip; this black marking is edged with yellow in front and behind. A white-edged dark line is seen across the snout, especially in juveniles.
Average total length (including tail) is 80 cm (31 in), maximum 1.2 m (47 in). Hatchlings are 20 cm (7.9 in) long.
Distribution and habitat
Demansia psammophis is endemic to Australia .
Behaviour
Although not an aggressive species, the bite of D. psammophis is to be avoided, as extreme pain will affect the bitten limb.
Diet
Demansia psammophis is a lizard eating specialist, and it is common throughout its range.
References
- ↑ Shea, G., Gaikhorst, G. & Cowan, M. 2017. Demansia psammophis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T42492989A42492999. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T42492989A42492999.en. Downloaded on 17 December 2018.
- ↑ "Demansia psammophis ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
Sources
- Weigel, John (2002). Australian Reptile Park's Guide to Snakes of South-east Australia...
- Cotter, Harold G.(Oct 2018. Updated Seventh Edition.) “REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF AUSTRALIA.”
ISBN:0-646-00006-3. (Demansia psammophis, p. 50).
- "Demansia psammophis ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. www.itis.gov.
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. (Diemenia psammophis, pp. 322–323).
- Schlegel H (1837). Essai sur la physionomie des serpens. Amsterdam: M.H. Schonekat. Partie générale, xxviii + 251 pp.; Partie descriptive, 606 + xvi pp. (Elaps psammophis, new species, p. 455). (in French).
Wikidata ☰ Q2710593 entry
 |
