Forest vine snake | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Thelotornis |
Species: | T. kirtlandii |
Binomial name | |
Thelotornis kirtlandii (Hallowell, 1844) | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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The forest vine snake (Thelotornis kirtlandii), also known commonly as the forest twig snake or simply the twig snake, and as the bird snake (as are other members of the genus Thelotornis), is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa.
The specific name, kirtlandii, is in honor of American naturalist Jared Potter Kirtland. [3]
T. kirtlandii is found in Sub-Saharan Africa, south to a latitude of about 17° S. It has been recorded from Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. [2]
The preferred natural habitats of T. kirtlandii are forest and savanna, at altitudes from sea level to 2,200 m (7,200 ft), but it is also found in artificial plantations. [1]
T. kirtlandii is diurnal, and it is both arboreal and terrestrial. [1]
T. kirtlandii preys upon frogs, lizards, birds, and their eggs. [1]
T. kirtlandii is oviparous. [1] [2] Clutch size is four to ten eggs. [1]
T. kirtlandii produces a venom which is slow acting but potentially lethal. It causes non-clotting of blood and renal failure. There is no antivenom. [4]
The twig snakes, also commonly known as bird snakes or vine snakes, are a genus of rear-fanged venomous snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus is native to Africa. All species in the genus have a slender and elongated profile, a long tail, a narrow head and a pointed snout. The eye of all species has a horizontal pupil, shaped like a keyhole, which gives twig snakes binocular vision. Twig snakes are greyish-brown with faint light and dark markings. When threatened, they inflate the throat to display bold black markings between the scales. Twig snake bites are potentially deadly: the venom is hemotoxic, affecting the blood clotting mechanism and causing uncontrolled bleeding and internal hemorrhaging. Bites by twig snakes have caused death in humans; famous herpetologist Robert Mertens died after being bitten by his pet savanna vine snake. However, envenomed bites are extremely rare when not handling the snake, as the fangs can't breach the skin except in a few places like the web between the thumb and fingers.
Kirtland's snake is a threatened or endangered North American species of nonvenomous snake of the subfamily Natricinae, of the family Colubridae. It is the only species in the genus Clonophis.
Goldie's tree cobra, also known commonly as the African tree cobra and as Gold's tree cobra, is a species of venomous tree cobra in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Central and Western Africa. This species is one of the two tree cobras in Africa, the other being the black tree cobra. Goldie's tree cobra is one of the most venomous snakes and creatures in Africa.
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Adolfus jacksoni, also known commonly as Jackson's forest lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to East Africa.
Congolacerta vauereselli, also known commonly as the sparse-scaled forest lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is native to central Africa.
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Philothamnus battersbyi, also known commonly as Battersby's green snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to northeastern Africa.
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.
Philothamnus hughesi, also known commonly as Hughes' green snake or Hughes's green snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to central Africa.
Thrasops jacksonii, also known commonly as the black tree snake and Jackson's black tree snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Central Africa.