Phalotris mertensi

Phalotris mertensi
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Phalotris
Species:	P. mertensi
Binomial name
	Phalotris mertensi; (Hoge, 1955)
Synonyms
	Elapomorphus mertensi; Hoge, 1955;

Last updated September 17, 2025

Phalotris mertensi is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae.^[2] The species is native to central eastern South America.

Etymology

The specific name, mertensi, is in honor of German herpetologist Robert Mertens.^[3]^: 176

Geographic distribution

Phalotris mertensi is found in southeastern Brazil, in the Brazilian states of Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, and São Paulo.^[1]^[2] It is also found in eastern Paraguay.^[1]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Phalotris mertensi is savanna.^[1]

Description

A medium-sized species of snake, Phalotris mertensi may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 1.26 m (4.1 ft). Males reach sexual maturity at 48 cm (19 in) SVL, and females at 51 cm (20 in).^[1]

Behavior

Phalotris mertensi is fossorial, and it is both diurnal and nocturnal.^[1]

Diet

Phalotris mertensi preys upon caecilians.^[1]

Reproduction

Phalotris mertensi is oviparous.^[1]^[2] Clutch size is from three to seven eggs.^[1]

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Silveira, A.L.; Prudente, A.L. da C.; Argôlo, A.J.S.; Abrahão, C.R.; Nogueira, C. de C.; Barbo, F.E.; Costa, G.C.; Pontes, G.M.F.; Colli, G.R.; Zaher, H. el D.; Borges-Martins, M.; Martins, M.R.C.; Oliveira, M.E.; Passos, P.G.H.; Bérnils, R.S.; Sawaya, R.J.; Cechin, C.T.Z; Guedes da Costa, T.B. (2021). "Phalotris mertensi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T15181469A15181476. Retrieved 2 December 2021. (in English and Portuguese).
1 2 3 4 "Phalotris mertensi (HOGE, 1955)". Reptile Database. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
↑ 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.

Ferrarezzi, H. (1993). "Nota sobre o gênero Phalotris com revisão do grupo nasutus e descrição de três novas espécies (Serpentes, Colubridae, Xenodontinae)". Memórias do Instituto Butantan. 55 (suplemento 1): 21–38. (Phalotris mertensi, new combination). (in Portuguese).
Freiberg, M. (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. 189 pp. (Elapomorphus mertensi, p. 97).
Hoge, A.R. (1955). "Eine neue Schlange der Gattung Elapomorphus aus Brasilien ". Senckenbergiana Biologica. 88 (1): 301–304. (Elapomorphus mertensi, new species). (in German).
Wallach, V.; Williams, K.L.; Boundy, J. (2014). Snakes of the World: A Catalogue of Living and Extinct Species. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, a division of Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN 978-1-4822-0847-4. xxviii + 1,209 pp. (Phalotris mertensi, p. 547).

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[IUCN-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Silveira, A.L.; Prudente, A.L. da C.; Argôlo, A.J.S.; Abrahão, C.R.; Nogueira, C. de C.; Barbo, F.E.; Costa, G.C.; Pontes, G.M.F.; Colli, G.R.; Zaher, H. el D.; Borges-Martins, M.; Martins, M.R.C.; Oliveira, M.E.; Passos, P.G.H.; Bérnils, R.S.; Sawaya, R.J.; Cechin, C.T.Z; Guedes da Costa, T.B. (2021). "Phalotris mertensi ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T15181469A15181476. Retrieved 2 December 2021. (in English and Portuguese).

[RDB-2] 1 2 3 4 "Phalotris mertensi (HOGE, 1955)". Reptile Database. Retrieved 23 January 2019.

[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.

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