| Dasypeltis scabra | |
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| D. scabra after swallowing an egg | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Dasypeltis |
| Species: | D. scabra |
| Binomial name | |
| Dasypeltis scabra | |
| Synonyms | |
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Dasypeltis scabra, known as the common egg eater, egg-eating snake or rhombic egg eater, [1] is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is endemic to Africa.
Dasypeltis scabra is found in sub-Saharan Africa. It can also be found in Saudi Arabia and in other countries of the Middle East.
D. scabra grows to a total length (including tail) of 40–46 inches (100–120 cm), and has almost toothless jaws. Dorsally, it has a series of rhomboidal dark brown spots on a lighter background. There is an alternating series of brown spots on each side and a distinct V-shaped mark at the back of the neck. Ventrally it is yellowish, either uniform or with dark dots. [2]
It has been suggested that non-venomous Dasypeltis scabra is a mimic of venomous Echis carinatus , the saw-scaled viper, which it strongly resembles. [3]
Typical specimens of D. scabra even more closely resemble Causus rhombeatus , the rhombic night adder. The colouration of Echis generally tends to be more reddish and brown, instead of shades of grey and black; and the V-shaped mark on its head is more patchy than in the other two species.
Causus is not as slim as Dasypeltis, and its scales, unusually among viperids, are at most slightly keeled, whereas Dasypeltis scales not only are keeled, but in some parts of the body are finely saw-toothed so that, when an alarmed snake rubs them against each other, they emit a threatening hissing sound. The species does not hiss in the usual manner at all. Both species typically have well-defined V-shaped markings on the head and neck, but in Causus the marking extends forward on the head, whereas in Dasypeltis it is mainly on the neck.
Furthermore, the two species also may be distinguished by the shape of the pupil of the eye. Snakes of the genus Dasypeltis have vertically slitted pupils, whereas snakes of the genus Causus have round pupils. [4] However, in dim light the vertical pupils expand till they are rounded, so this is not necessarily a reliable criterion for distinguishing the species.
Dasypeltis scabra can be found in a variety of habitats. They are not found in closed-canopy forests nor in true deserts, but do inhabit most ecosystems between these extremes. [5]
The rhombic egg eater is nocturnal. Although mainly terrestrial, it is a good climber and is known to scale rock outcroppings and climb trees to raid birds' nests. [5]
Dasypeltis scabra feeds exclusively on eggs. The lining of the mouth has small, parallel ridges, very similar to human fingerprints, which aid in grasping the shell of an egg. Once swallowed, the egg is punctured by specialized vertebral hypapophyses which extend into the esophagus. The shell is then regurgitated in one piece, and its contents passed along to the stomach. [6]
When disturbed, D. scabra inflates itself, "hisses" by rapidly rubbing together the rough, keeled scales on the side of its body, and strikes with its mouth kept wide open. [7]
D. scabra is oviparous. In summer, a sexually mature female may lay one or two clutches of 6–25 eggs each. The eggs measure 36 mm × 18 mm (1.42 in × 0.71 in). Hatchlings are 21–24 cm (8.5–9.5 in) in total length. [5]
Two subspecies are recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies. [8]
The subspecific name, loveridgei, is in honor of British herpetologist Arthur Loveridge.
The boomslang is a highly venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Leptophis ahaetulla, commonly known as the lora or parrot snake, is a species of medium-sized slender snake of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Central America and northern South America.
Dasypeltis is a genus of colubrid snakes. It is one of only two taxonomic groups of snakes known to have adapted to feed exclusively on eggs. 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.
Causus is a genus of vipers found only in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a group considered to be among the most primitive members of the family Viperidae based on head scalation, oviparity, venom apparatus, and because they have round pupils. However, this is contradicted by recent molecular studies. Seven species are currently recognized. They are commonly known as night adders. Like all other vipers, they are venomous.
Echis is a genus of vipers found in the dry regions of Africa, the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. They have a characteristic threat display, rubbing sections of their body together to produce a "sizzling" warning sound. The name Echis is the Latin transliteration of the Greek word for "viper" (ἔχις). Like all vipers, they are venomous. Their common name is "saw-scaled vipers" and they include some of the species responsible for causing the most snakebite cases and deaths in the world. Twelve species are currently recognized.
Causus maculatus is viper species found mainly in West- and Central Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Common names include forest rhombic night adder, West African night adder and spotted night adder. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
Causus rhombeatus, commonly known as the rhombic night adder, is a viper species endemic to subsaharan Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
Causus bilineatus is a viper species endemic to south central Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Common names include lined night adder, two-lined night adder, and two-striped night adder. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
Causus lichtensteinii is a viper species endemic to western, central, and eastern Africa. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. Like all other vipers, the species is venomous.
Causus resimus is a viper species found in isolated populations distributed across tropical Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Like all other vipers, it is venomous.
Aparallactus is a genus of rear-fanged mildly venomous snakes in the family Atractaspididae. The genus is endemic to Africa. 11 species are recognized as being valid.
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.
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.
Dasypeltis arabica, commonly known as the Arabian egg-eater, is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Dasypeltis crucifera, commonly known as the cross-marked egg-eater, is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in Eritrea.
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 loveridgei, commonly known as the dwarf egg-eater, is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in South Africa and Namibia.
| Authority control databases: National |
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