Calamaria andersoni

Calamaria andersoni
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Calamaria
Species:	C. andersoni
Binomial name
Calamaria andersoni Yang & Zheng, 2018

Calamaria andersoni, also known commonly as Anderson's reed snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Calamariinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to China. ^[2]

Etymology

The specific name, andersoni, is in honor of Scottish zoologist John Anderson (1833–1900).

Description

Dorsally, Calamaria andersoni is brown, with indistinct narrow black stripes on the flanks. It has four upper labials, the second and third touching the eye. It has one preocular. The mental is not in contact with the anterior chin shields. The dorsal scales are arranged in 13 rows throughout the length of the body. The holotype, a male, has 171 ventrals, and 23 subcaudals. ^[2]

Geographic distribution

Calamaria andersoni is found in Yunnan province, China. ^{[1] [2]}

Behavior

Calamaria andersoni is terrestrial and fossorial. ^[1]

References

1. Yang J, Ding L, Qi S, Cai B (2024). "Calamaria andersoni ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-1.RLTS.T199418437A199546156.en. Accessed on 20 August 2025.
2. Species Calamaria andersoni at The Reptile Database

Further reading

• Yang, J.-H.; Zheng, X. (2018). "A New Species of the Genus Calamaria (Squamata: Colubridae) from Yunnan Province, China". Copeia. 106 (3): 485–491. doi:10.1643/CH-17-663. (Calamaria andersoni, new species).
• Wang, K.; Lyu, Z.; Wang, J.; Qi, S.; Che, J. (2022). "The updated checklist and zoogeographic division of the reptilian fauna of Yunnan Province, China". Biodiversity Science. 30 (4): 1–31.