Ornamental Snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ornamental snake | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||||
| Conservation status | ||||||||||||||||
|
IUCN2.3
|
||||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||||
| Denisonia maculata (Steindachner, 1867) |
The Ornamental Snake (Denisonia maculata) is a small elapid snake found in the Bowen Basin of Queensland, Australia. Ornamental snakes grow to about 40 centimetres in length and appear to be primarily frog eaters[1]. They are nocturnal, and are thought to shelter in soil cracks during the day. They tend to be found in areas of deeply cracking, alluvial soils.
While not generally regarded as dangerous to man, bites from this species may result in localised swelling[2] and/or loss of consciousness[3]. Large specimens should be treated with caution.
Ornamental snakes are listed by the IUCN as vulnerable.
[edit] References
- ^ Shine, R. Food habits and reproductive biology of Australian elapid snakes of the genus Denisonia. Journal of Herpetology 17:171-175, 1983
- ^ Blomberg, S. P. Local symptoms of envenomation by the Ornamental snake, Denisonia maculata (Steindachner): Elapidae. Herpetofauna, 27(1):46–48, 1997.
- ^ Kellaway, C. H. The venom of the ornamented snake Denisonia maculata. Australian journal of experimental biology and medical science, 12(2):47–54, 1934.
[edit] External links
- Species Denisonia maculata at The Reptile Database
- IUCN Red list of Threatened Species: Denisonia maculata
 |
This Australia-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
