Neelaps calonotos

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Neelaps calonotos
Neelapscalonotuseuankettle.jpg
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Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Neelaps
Species:
N. calonotos
Binomial name
Neelaps calonotos
Synonyms [2]

Neelaps calonotos, also known commonly as the black-striped burrowing snake, the black-striped snake, and the western black-striped snake, is a species of mildly venomous burrowing snake endemic to Australia. The specific epithet calonotos ("beautiful-backed") refers to the patterning on the upper surface of the body. [3]

Contents

Description

Neelaps calonotos rarely grows to a total length (including tail) of more than 28 cm (11 in), and is considered to be Australia's smallest venomous snake. Females are larger than males. Dorsally, it is reddish-orange, with a narrow black stripe along the back. The belly is whitish. Three black patches cover the snout, top of the head, and the nape. [4]

Reproduction

Neelaps calonotos is oviparous, with an average clutch size of four (range 2–6). [3]

Behaviour and diet

Neelaps calonotos is nocturnal, staying in loose sand during the day and preying on small animals such as lizards at night. [4]

Geographic range and habitat

Neelaps calonotos occurs in coastal south-western Western Australia. [3] It lives in dunes as well as open woodlands and shrublands with sandy soils. [4]

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References

  1. Gaikhorst G, Valentine L, Craig M, Sanderson C, Ford S, Teale R (2018) [amended version of 2017 assessment]. "Neelaps calonotus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T20230A136221347. Retrieved 3 June 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Species Neelaps calonotos at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
  3. 1 2 3 "Black-striped burrowing snake". Australian Reptile Online Database. Stewart Macdonald. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "western black-striped snake". Britannica Kids. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2 June 2021.

Further reading