Polemon | |
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Polemon bocourti | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Lamprophiidae |
Subfamily: | Atractaspidinae |
Genus: | Polemon Jan, 1858 |
Synonyms | |
Miodon A.H.A. Duméril, 1859 |
Polemon is a genus of rear-fanged venomous snakes in the family Atractaspididae. The genus is endemic to Africa. Fifteen species are recognized as being valid. [1] [2]
Miodon is a synonym. The mollusc genus of family Carditidae invalidly described by Carpenter in 1863 has been renamed Miodontiscus .
The common name of this genus is snake-eaters, for their habit of feeding mainly on smaller snakes.
In the genus Polemon the maxillary is very short, with three small teeth, followed, after an interspace, by a very large, grooved fang situated anterior to the eye. The third and fourth mandibular teeth are large and fang-like. The head is small, and not distinct from neck. The eyes are minute, with round pupils. The nostrils are in a divided nasal which does not touch the rostral, the internasal forms a suture with the first upper labial. No loreal is present. The parietal is narrowly in contact with an upper labial.
The body is cylindrical, with a very short tail. Dorsal scales are smooth, without apical pits, and are arranged in 15 rows. The ventrals are rounded; the subcaudals are single (entire), [3] or double (divided).
* Not including the nominate subspecies.
Günther's black snake, Bothrolycus ater, is a species of poorly known lamprophiid snake endemic to central Africa. It is the only member of the genus, Bothrolycus. This snake is notable as one of the few snakes with notable sexual dimorphism, as well as possessing a small pit anterior to the eye. While superficially similar to the thermal pits of vipers, its function remains unknown.
Micrelaps is a genus of rear-fanged venomous snakes in the family Lamprophiidae. The genus is native to Africa and the Middle East. There are 4 species that are recognized as being valid.
Xenocalamus is a genus of rear-fanged venomous snakes in the family Lamprophiidae. The genus is endemic to Africa. Five species are recognized as being valid.
Amblyodipsas is a genus of snakes found in Africa. Currently, 9 species are recognized. These snakes are often known as purple-glossed snakes or glossy snakes. Although rear-fanged, all species are considered harmless, but their venom has not been well studied. They should not be confused with the glossy snakes of the genus Arizona, which are found in North America.
Aparallactus is a genus of rear-fanged venomous snakes found in Africa. Currently, 11 species are recognized.
Brachyophis is a monotypic genus created for the rear-fanged venomous snake species, Brachyophis revoili, commonly known as Revoil's short snake, which is endemic to Eastern Africa. Three subspecies are recognized as being valid.
Elapotinus is a monotypic genus created for the rear-fanged snake species, Elapotinus picteti. The species is endemic to Madagascar. It is also known commonly as Jan's snake in honor of Italian herpetologist Giorgio Jan. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
Hypoptophis is a monotypic genus created for the rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous) venomous snake species, Hypoptophis wilsonii. The species, which is endemic to Africa, is in the subfamily Aparallactinae of the family Lamprophiidae. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
Macrelaps is a monotypic genus created for the rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous) venomous snake species, M. microlepidotus, endemic to South Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Amblyodipsas unicolor, commonly known as the western glossy snake or the western purple-glossed snake, is a species of rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is one of the better known species in the genus Amblyodipsas.
Polemon acanthias, or Reinhardt's snake-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is endemic to Africa.
Polemon barthii, or the Guinea snake-eater, is a species of rear-fanged venomous snake in the family Atractaspididae. The species is endemic to Africa.
Polemon christyi, or the eastern snake-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the subfamily Aparallactinae. The species is endemic to Central and East Africa.
Polemon collaris, or the collared snake-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is endemic to Africa.
Polemon gabonensis, or the Gaboon snake-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is endemic to Africa.
Polemon gracilis, or the graceful snake-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is endemic to Africa.
Polemon neuwiedi, called commonly the Ivory Coast snake-eater or Neuwied's polemon, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Lamprophiidae. The species is endemic to West Africa.
Polemon notatus is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Atractaspididae. It is endemic to Africa.
Xenocalamus bicolor, or the slender quill-snouted snake, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Lamprophiidae. The species is endemic to Africa. Six subspecies are recognized as being valid.
Aparallactus modestus, or the western forest centipede-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the Atractaspididae family,