| Polemon ater | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Lamprophiidae |
| Genus: | Polemon |
| Species: | P. ater |
| Binomial name | |
| Polemon ater | |
Polemon ater, also known commonly as the black snake-eater, is a species of rear-fanged venomous snake in the subfamily Aparallactinae of the family Lamprophiidae. The species is native to central Africa.
Polemon ater is known with certainty from the southeastern portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly called Zaire), but is likely also found in adjacent Tanzania and Zambia based on literary records. [1]
P. ater was grouped under P. christyi until genetic analyses indicated that it was a distinct species. It is the first species in the genus Polemon to be described in over 70 years. [1]
Polemon ater preys exclusively upon snakes (ophiophagy), including those three-quarters it size. [2]
The mode of reproduction of P. ater is unknown. [2]
Colubridae is a family of snakes. With 249 genera, it is the largest snake family. The earliest species of the family date back to the Oligocene epoch. Colubrid snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Chamaelycus is a genus of snakes, commonly referred to as banded snakes, in the family Lamprophiidae. The genus is endemic to Central Africa.
Gonionotophis is a genus of snakes, known commonly as African ground snakes and file snakes, in the family Lamprophiidae. The genus is endemic to Central Africa.
Hormonotus is a genus of snakes. At present, this genus is monotypic, as there is only one commonly accepted species in it, Hormonotus modestus, commonly known as the Uganda house snake or yellow forest snake. It is widespread in tropical Africa. Its sister taxon is Inyoka swazicus, the Swazi rock snake.
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.
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.
The mole snake is a species of snake. It has been placed in the family Lamprophiidae, and more recently in the family Pseudaspididae, along with the genus Pythonodipsas. It is native to much of southern Africa, and is the only member of the genus Pseudaspis. A study showed that P. cana is caught and consumed by the honey badger, among other species. Remains of the mole snake were found in the faeces, and suggest the consumed individuals were larger specimens.
Atractaspis boulengeri, also known commonly as the Central African burrowing asp, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Atractaspidinae of the family Lamprophiidae. The species is endemic to Africa. There are six recognized subspecies.
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 bocourti, or Bocourt's snake-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the subfamily Aparallactinae of the family Lamprophiidae. The species is endemic to Central 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 fulvicollis, or the African 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 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 robustus, or the Zaire snake-eater, is a species of rear-fanged venomous snake in the family Atractaspididae. The species is endemic to Africa.
Amblyodipsas teitana, also known as the Taita Hills purple-glossed snake or Teitana purple-glossed snake, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Lamprophiidae. It is endemic to the Taita Hills in Kenya, and only known from the holotope, a 43 cm (16.9 in) female, first identified as Calamelaps unicolor by Arthur Loveridge in 1936.
Aparallactus werneri, or the Usambara centipede-eater, is a species of venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Lamprophiidae. The species is endemic to Tanzania.
The Lamprophiidae are a family of snakes found mostly in Africa, but also in parts of southern Europe and western Asia. A few species reach southeastern Asia. There are 322 species as of April 2019.
Psammophis angolensis, sometimes known as the dwarf sand snake, is a species of snake in the family Lamprophiidae reaching a maximum length of 50 cm, but averaging 30 cm. The snake actively forages for lizards and frogs.
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