Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Crotaphopeltis
Species: C. hotamboeia
Binomial name
Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia
(Laurenti, 1768)

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.

Description

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia (also known as Herald or Red-Lipped snakes) can be identified by their olive green or grey body, multiple white speckles, distinctive black head and red, yellow, white or black upper lip. They can grow to an average length of 70 cm but may reach up to 1 meter in length. They feed on amphibians (including rain frogs), lizards and other snakes (only in captivity). They have been known to live for between 10 and 15 years. Females lay between 6 and 19 eggs in early summer.[1]

Geographic range

The Herald snake (Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia) is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is present throughout South Africa (except for the Karoo and Northern Cape) as well as Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Southern and Central Mozambique and Northern Botswana.[2]

Habitat

Herald snakes favor marshy areas in lowland forest, moist savanna, grasslands and fynbos.[3]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/reptiles/squamata/serpentes/colubridae/crotaphopeltis_hotamboeia.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/reptiles/squamata/serpentes/colubridae/crotaphopeltis_hotamboeia.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/reptiles/squamata/serpentes/colubridae/crotaphopeltis_hotamboeia.htm


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