Pseudechis butleri
| Pseudechis butleri | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Pseudechis |
| Species: | P. australis |
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudechis butleri L.A. Smith, 1982[1] | |
Pseudechis butleri, the spotted Mulga (or Butler's) snake, is a species of elapid snake found in Western Australia. It is a member of the Pseudechis genus, dangerously venomous snakes that can intimidate an opponent by raising their head and presenting a hood. This cobra-like threat display is supported by the ability to produce a very large amount of venom. Pseudechis butleri is similar to Pseudechis australis, the larger common Mulga Snake, which also occurs in its range, but is spotted and does not exceed 1.6 metres in length. The length from snout to vent is up to 1.41 m. The body is speckled with black, but are mainly covered in yellow or brownish scales with black edges. The distribution of the species is within the Murchison region of Western Australia, where it occurs in Acacia woodlands on stony and loamy soils, and occasionally amongst rocks.[2] Specimens of this West Australian endemic species have been recorded in Mullewa in the north, as far west as Leonora, and to the east near Laverton, all in Western Australia.[3]
The venom contains systemic myotoxins. Treatment for positive envenomation is the same as for P. australis, using a Black snake antivenom.[4]
The genus Pseudechis suggests a similarity to the African-Asian vipers of the genus Echis; the specific epithet butleri commemorates the Australian naturalist Harry Butler.[5]
References
- ↑ Smith L A 1982. Variation in Pseudechis australis (Serpentes: Elapidae) in Western Australia and description of a new species of Pseudechis. Records of the Western Australian Museum 10 (1): 35-45
- ↑ Browne-Cooper, Robert; Brian Bush, Brad Maryan, David Robinson (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press. pp. 259, 260. ISBN 978-1-920694-74-6.
- ↑ "Distribution of Pseudechis butleri". FaunaBase. Western Australian Museum. 2003. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ↑ "Pseudechis butleri". Clinical Toxinology Resources. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- ↑ "Pseudechis". kingsnake.com. 1998. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
- Pseudechis butleri at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
- "Pseudechis butleri". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.