| Mehelya | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Boodontinae |
| Genus: | Mehelya Csíki, 1903[1] |
| Species | |
|
10 recognized species, see article. |
|
Mehelya is a genus of colubrid snakes from Africa. They are collectively grouped as file snakes due to their unusual scalation. They are nonvenomous.
Contents |
There are 10 recognized species within the genus Mehelya:
File snakes are found throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa, from the Cape of South Africa through Zimbabwe, Botswana to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and further.
They are not large snakes, growing to around 3-4 feet (90-120 cm). Their dorsal scales are most peculiar. Large patches of bare skin are seen, and scales are separated by large gaps. These scales are strongly keeled, giving the snake the feel of a file - hence their common name. Their body shape is triangular in cross section, which has been noted amongst other "cannibalistic" snakes, and may also provide some sort of benefit for them within their burrowing lifestyle.
They generally occupy more humid regions but are found in hotter, desert areas too.
File snakes are, by nature, burrowers. They will occupy old, abandoned burrows of rodents where they shelter from the heat in the relative coolness underground. They are also adept at burrowing for themselves, their flattened head aiding them to push their way through the earth and leaf litter. This genus is nocturnal, becoming active at night to hunt prey – other reptiles.
The genus Mehelya feeds mainly on snakes and small lizards such as geckos. Like many genera that feed solely on snakes, it has developed a triangular body shape as opposed to the plump, rounded body of other snakes.