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Dasypeltis | |
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Montane egg-eating snake ( Dasypeltis atra ) | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Subfamily: | Colubrinae |
Genus: | Dasypeltis Wagler, 1830 |
Species | |
18 recognized species, see article. |
Dasypeltis is a genus of snakes, also known commonly as egg-eating snakes or egg-eaters, in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The genus is one of only two taxonomic groups of snakes known to have adapted to feed exclusively on eggs (the other being the genus Elachistodon ). Dasypeltis are non-venomous and found throughout the continent of Africa, primarily in forested or wooded habitats that are also home to numerous species of birds.
There are 18 species of Dasypeltis that are recognized as being valid, one of which has recognized subspecies. [1]
Nota bene : A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Dasypeltis.
The species of the genus Dasypeltis exhibit a wide variation in patterning and color, from mixtures of browns and greens, to solid black. Individuals in a specific locality tend to share similar color and pattern. They vary in size greatly, from 30–100 cm (12–39.5 in) in total length (including tail).[ citation needed ]
Dasypeltis species tend to have a nervous disposition, and when threatened will perform what is called saw-scaling, a behavior in which the snake will rub the scales on the sides of its body together quickly to make a rasping noise that sounds like hissing. They are agile climbers, and have a keen sense of smell to tell whether an egg is rotten or too far developed to be comfortable to eat. They have extremely flexible jaws and necks for eating eggs much larger than their head, and have no teeth, but they do have bony protrusions on the ventral side of their spine which are used to aid in breaking the shells of eggs.[ citation needed ]
The process of consuming an egg involves wrapping their mouth around it and drawing it into the throat with their jaws, and then flexing their neck muscles to push the egg into the bony protrusions on their spine, which causes the egg to collapse in on itself. Then the snake carefully squeezes the liquid out of the inside of the egg, swallowing the contents, and ends with regurgitation of the completely crushed egg shell. They are remarkably efficient, and waste very little of the contents of an egg.[ citation needed ]
A sequence of a montane egg-eating snake, Dasypeltis atra , consuming a quail egg: grasping egg, swallowing egg, breaking egg and ingesting contents, regurgitating shell.
Dasypeltis species are readily available in the exotic pet trade, but due to their unique dietary needs they can be a challenge to keep in captivity. Most egg-eating snakes never get large enough to consume typical chicken eggs, so smaller ones must be provided, such as finch or quail eggs. Once a reliable source(s) of food is obtained, Dasypeltis make easy and hardy vivarium species. Captive breeding is virtually unknown, so almost all specimens available are wild caught.[ citation needed ]
Many owners have resorted to force-feeding their Dasypeltis because the animal seems not to be eating. However, evidence has shown that, like large constrictors, these snakes may go for very long periods (months) without eating after a large meal. As long as the snake is behaving normally and does not appear to be in physical distress, force-feeding is not advised. When a specimen seems to be "off" its food, offering it eggs approximately monthly is appropriate. If the snake does not eat but continues to drink, is active, and sheds, then it does not need to be force-fed.[ citation needed ]
Boiga is a large genus of rear-fanged, mildly venomous snakes, known commonly as cat-eyed snakes or simply cat snakes, in the family Colubridae. Species of the genus Boiga are native to southeast Asia, India, and Australia, but due to their extremely hardy nature and adaptability, have spread to many other suitable habitats around the world. There are 38 recognized species in the genus. According to the study done by Jiří Smíd regarding Old World cat snakes, the ancestor of the cat snake originated in Africa, from where it diversified and expanded to other countries. Despite this diversity however, the different species have very similar needs in terms of temperature and precipitation.
The Indian egg-eating snake or Indian egg-eater is a rare species of egg-eating snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It is also called Westermann's snake, reflecting its scientific name. The snake belongs to the monotypic genus Elachistodon.
Dasypeltis scabra, also known commonly as the common egg eater, the egg-eating snake, and the rhombic egg eater, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa.
The Colubrinae are a subfamily of snakes within the family Colubridae. It includes numerous genera, and although taxonomic sources often disagree on the exact number, the Reptile Database lists 717 species in 92 genera as of September 2019. It is the second largest subfamily of colubrids, after Dipsadinae. Many of the most commonly known snakes are members of this subfamily, including rat snakes, king snakes, milk snakes, vine snakes, and indigo snakes.
Psammophis is a genus of snakes in the family Psammophiidae. The genus comprises 33 species, which are found in Africa and Asia. Psammophis are diurnal and prey on lizards and rodents which they actively hunt. All species in the genus are venomous, and the venom is considered mild and not dangerous to humans.
Lycophidion is a genus of nonvenomous lamprophiid snakes commonly referred to as the wolf snakes.
Boaedon is a genus of African lamprophiids consisting of the "brown" house snakes. The genus was originally described by Duméril but the species contained were reclassified as Lamprophis by Fitzinger in 1843, this taxonomy remained widely accepted until November 2010 when a phylogenetic study was published by C.M.R Kelly et al. who resurrected the Boaedon clade. Although commonly regarded as belonging to the Colubridae, primary literature usually lists them and related species as belonging to the family Lamprophiidae within the superfamily Elapoidea, which includes the venomous cobras and mambas.
The Lamprophiidae are a family of snakes found throughout much of Africa, including Seychelles. There are 89 species as of July 2022.
Dasypeltis medici, known commonly as the East African egg-eater and the eastern forest egg-eater, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa.
Dasypeltis atra, commonly known as the African egg-eating snake or montane egg-eater, is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa.
Philothamnus is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dasypeltis confusa, commonly known as the confusing egg-eater or the diamond-back egg-eater, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa.
Dasypeltis fasciata, commonly known as the Central African egg-eating snake or the western forest eggeater, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa. It is one of 18 species in the genus Dasypeltis, and is occasionally kept in captivity as an exotic pet along with other members of its genus, particularly D. scabra and D. medici.
Lamprophiinae is a subfamily of lamprophiid snakes, a large group of mostly African snakes, most of which were formerly classified as colubrids but which we now know are actually more closely related to elapids.
Afrotyphlops is a genus of snakes in the family Typhlopidae.
Myriopholis is a genus of snakes in the family Leptotyphlopidae. Most of the species were previously placed in the genus Leptotyphlops.
Dasypeltis gansi, commonly known as Gans's egg-eater or Gans' egg-eating snake, is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to West Africa.
Dasypeltis sahelensis, the Sahel egg-eater, is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, and Chad.