| Lytorhynchus diadema | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Lytorhynchus |
| Species: | L. diadema |
| Binomial name | |
| Lytorhynchus diadema | |
Lytorhynchus diadema, the crowned leafnose snake, diademed sand snake, or awl-headed snake, is a non-venomous snake [2] found in Middle East, North Africa & West Asia.
Lytorhynchus diadema adults range from 30-51 cm in length.
Pale buff or cream color above, with a series of 13 – 18 large transversely rhomboidal dark spots; a dark median band along the head and nape, sometimes confluent with an interocular transverse band; an oblique dark band from the eye to the angle of the mouth; lower parts uniform white. [3]
Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel [4] , Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Mauritania, West Sahara. [2]
This species is found in sandy desert, semi-desert, sandy coastal areas, areas of high grassland plateaus (especially those close to rocky areas), and clay plateaus with rocks. This species digs, but is not considered fossorial In Arabia it appears to occur in a wide range of dry habitats. [5]
It feeds mainly on lizards but will eat large arthropods, insects and young rodents.
The species is oviparous, laying clutches of three to five eggs.
Echis coloratus, known as the painted saw-scaled viper, painted carpet viper, Burton's carpet viper, and by other common names, is a highly venomous viper species endemic to the Middle East and Egypt. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Field's horned viper is a species of snake in the family Viperidae. The species is native to the deserts of the Middle East. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. It was previously considered a subspecies of the Persian horned viper. The main differences between this species and the Persian horned viper are in scalation and venom composition.
Spalerosophis diadema, known commonly as the Blotched diadem snake and the Blotched royal snake, is a species of large snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia and northern Africa.
Lytorhynchus paradoxus, commonly known as the Sindh awl-headed snake and the Sind longnose sand snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the desert areas of Pakistan and India (Rajasthan).
Walterinnesia aegyptia, also known as the desert cobra or desert black snake, is a species of venomous snakes in the family Elapidae that is native to the Middle East. The specific epithet aegyptia refers to part of its geographic range.
Cerastes gasperettii, also known commonly as the Arabian horned viper and Gasperetti's horned viper, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to the Arabian Peninsula and north to Palestine (region), Iraq, and Iran. It is very similar in appearance to C. cerastes, but the geographic ranges of these two species do not overlap. No subspecies of C. gasperettii are recognized.
The desert death adder is a species of snake native to Australia and is one of the most venomous land snakes in the world. The desert death adder is under threat due to the destruction of habitat.
Daboia palaestinae, also known as the Palestine viper, is a viper species endemic to the Levant. Like all vipers, it is venomous. It is considered a leading cause of snakebite within its range. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Telescopus hoogstraali, common names of which include Hoogstraal's cat snake and the Sinai cat snake, is an endangered species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the Middle East.
Eryx jayakari, known commonly as the Arabian sand boa or Jayakar's sand boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae. The species is endemic to the Arabian Peninsula and Iran where it spends the day buried in the sand.
Platyceps elegantissimus is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is commonly known as the elegant racer.
The Arabian cat snake, large-eyed cat snake, or Israeli cat snake is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
Acanthodactylus schmidti, also known commonly as Schmidt's fringe-fingered lizard or Schmidt's fringe-toed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. The species is endemic to Western Asia.
Platyceps sinai is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is commonly known as the Sinai racer or Sinai banded racer.
Eirenis coronella or crowned dwarf racer, is a non-venomous snake found in the Near and Middle East.
Eirenis coronelloides or is a non-venomous snake found in the Middle East.
Eirenis decemlineatus (also known as the narrow-striped dwarf snake, is a non-venomous snake found in West Asia and the Middle East.
Lytorhynchus kennedyi or is a non-venomous snake found in Middle East.
Lytorhynchus gasperetti, also known commonly as Leviton's awl-headed snake and Leviton's leafnose snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Saudi Arabia.
