Micrelaps boettgeri
| Micrelaps boettgeri | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Atractaspididae |
| Genus: | Micrelaps |
| Species: | M. boettgeri |
| Binomial name | |
| Micrelaps boettgeri Boulenger, 1896 | |
Micrelaps boettgeri, or Boettger's two-headed snake, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the Atractaspididae family.[1] It is endemic to Africa.[2]
Etymology
The specific name, boettgeri, is in honor of German herpetologist Oskar Boettger, author of the genus Micrelaps.
Geographic range
Boettger's two-headed snake is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.[3]
Description
Dorsally blackish brown, each scale with a terminal round white spot. Upper surface of head and nape of neck black. Ventrals edged with white.
The type specimen, a female, is 23.5 cm (9¼ inches) in total length, with a tail 2 cm (¾ inch) long.
Dorsal scales smooth, in 15 rows at midbody (in 17 rows on neck). Ventrals 203-221; anal plate divided; subcaudals 22-23, also divided (in two rows).
Portion of rostral visible from above as long as its distance from the frontal. Internasals slightly broader than long, shorter than the prefrontals. Frontal small, 1½ times as long as broad, as long as its distance from the rostral, much shorter than the parietals. One postocular. Temporals 1+1. Seven upper labials, third and fourth entering the eye, fifth forming a suture with the parietal. Four lower labials in contact with the anterior chin shield. Two pairs of chin shields, the anterior pair and the posterior pair subequal in size.[4]
References
- ↑ "Micrelaps". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
- ↑ Genus Micrelaps at The Reptile Database. Accessed 17 August 2007.
- ↑ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ↑ Boulenger, G.A. 1896. A list of the reptiles and batrachians collected by the late Prince Eugenio Ruspoli in Somaliland and Gallaland in 1893. Annali Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova, Giacomo Doria (2)17:5-14.