Elapsoidea loveridgei

Elapsoidea loveridgei
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Elapsoidea
Species:	E. loveridgei
Binomial name
	Elapsoidea loveridgei; H. Parker, 1949
	Geographic range of ; Elapsoidea loveridgei; (in red)
Synonyms
	Elapsoidea sundevallii loveridgei; H. Parker, 1949;

Last updated March 02, 2025

Elapsoidea loveridgei, also known commonly as Loveridge's garter snake and the East African garter snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae.^[2] The species is native to East Africa.^[2] There are three recognized subspecies.

Etymology

The specific name, loveridgei, is in honor of herpetologist Arthur Loveridge.^[3]^: 161

Description

Adults of Elapsoidea loveridgei usually have a total length (tail included) of 30–55 cm (12–22 in). However, it may attain a total length of 65 cm (26 in). The tail is short, about 7.5% of the total length. The dorsal scales, which are smooth and glossy, are arranged in 13 rows at midbody. The coloration is black with light crossbands, which may be white, yellow, pink, or red.^[4]

Geographic range

Elapsoidea loveridgei is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.^[1]^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of Elapsoidea loveridgei are woodland, savanna, and grassland, at altitudes of 600–2,200 m (2,000–7,200 ft).^[1]

Behavior

Elapsoidea loveridgei is terrestrial and nocturnal.^[1]

Defensive behavior

If threatened, Elapsoidea loveridgei inflates and flattens its body, making the bright-colored crossbands more prominent. It may also raise the anterior half of the body and move it abruptly from side to side.^[4]

Diet

Elapsoidea loveridgei preys upon small frogs, lizards, snakes, and mammals, and also eats reptile eggs.^[1]

Reproduction

Elapsoidea loveridgei is oviparous.^[1]^[2]

Venom

Elapsoidea loveridgei is venomous. In humans, its bite causes local pain and swelling, plus pain and swelling in the lymph nodes. There is no antivenom for species of the genus Elapsoidea , but no human fatalities have been recorded.^[4]

Subspecies

The following three subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.^[2]

Elapsoidea loveridgei colleti Laurent, 1956
Elapsoidea loveridgei loveridgei H. Parker, 1949
Elapsoidea loveridgei multicincta Laurent, 1956

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 Spawls, S.; Malonza, P.; Beraduccii [sic], J. (2021). "Elapsoidea loveridgei ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T13265855A13265861. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T13265855A13265861.en . Retrieved 17 August 2023.
1 2 3 4 5 6 "Elapsoidea loveridgei ". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
↑ Beolens, B; Watkins, M; Grayson, M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xiii + 296. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.
1 2 3 Spawls, S.; Howell, K.; Hinkel, H.; Menegon, M. (2018). A Field Guide to East African Reptiles, Second Edition. London, Oxford, New York, New Delhi, Sydney: Bloomsbury Wildlife. ISBN 978-1-399-40481-5. 624 pp. (Genus Elapsoidea, p. 543; Elapsoidea loveridgei, pp. 546–547).

Broadley, D.G. (1971). "A revision of the African snake genus Elapsoidea Bocage (Elapidae)". Occasional Papers of the National Museums of Rhodesia. Series B, Natural Sciences. 4 (32): 577–626. (Elapsoidea loveridgei, new taxonomic status).
Broadley, D.G. (1998). "A review of the Elapsoidea semiannulata complex (Serpentes: Elapidae)". African Journal of Herpetology. 47 (1): 13–23.
Laurent, R.F. (1956). "Contribution à l'herpetologie de la région des Grandes Lacs de l'Afrique centrale ". Annales du Musée Royal du Congo Belge, Sciences Zoologiques. 48: 1–390. (Elapsoidea decosteri colleti, new subspecies; E. d. multicincta, new subspecies). (in French).
Parker, H.W. (1949). "The Snakes of Somaliland and the Sokotra Islands". Zoologische Verhandelingen. 6: 1–115. (Elapsoidea sundevallii loveridgei, new subspecies, pp. 95–96).

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[iucn-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 Spawls, S.; Malonza, P.; Beraduccii [sic], J. (2021). "Elapsoidea loveridgei ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T13265855A13265861. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T13265855A13265861.en . Retrieved 17 August 2023.

[RDB-2] 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Elapsoidea loveridgei ". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 10 December 2021.

[3] Beolens, B; Watkins, M; Grayson, M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xiii + 296. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.

[Spawlsetal2018-4] 1 2 3 Spawls, S.; Howell, K.; Hinkel, H.; Menegon, M. (2018). A Field Guide to East African Reptiles, Second Edition. London, Oxford, New York, New Delhi, Sydney: Bloomsbury Wildlife. ISBN 978-1-399-40481-5. 624 pp. (Genus Elapsoidea, p. 543; Elapsoidea loveridgei, pp. 546–547).

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