Rhabdophis tigrinus

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Rhabdophis tigrinus
Rhabdophis tigrinus IMG 6559.retouch.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Rhabdophis
Species:
R. tigrinus
Binomial name
Rhabdophis tigrinus
(H. Boie, 1826)
Rhabdophis tigrinus range map small.png
Range of R. tigrinus
Synonyms [2]
  • Tropidonotus tigrinus
    H. Boie, 1826
  • Amphiesma tigrinum
    A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron &
    A.H.A. Duméril, 1854
  • Tropidonotus lateralis
    Berthold, 1859
  • Amphiesma tigrinum
    Hallowell, 1860
  • Tropidonotus orientalis
    Günther, 1862
  • Tropidonotus tigrinus
    — Günther, 1888
  • Tropidonotus tigrinus
    Boulenger, 1893
  • Tropidonotus tigrinus
    — Boulenger, 1896
  • Natrix tigrina
    Stejneger, 1907
  • Natrix tigrina lateralis
    — Stejneger, 1907
  • Natrix tigrina formosana
    Maki, 1931
  • Natrix tigrina lateralis
    Glass, 1946
  • Natrix tigrina
    Alexander & Diener, 1958
  • Rhabdophis tigrina
    Malnate, 1960
  • Rhabdophis tigrina lateralis
    Zhao & Jiang, 1986
  • Rhabdophis tigrinus formosanus
    Ota & Mori, 1985

Rhabdophis tigrinus, also known commonly as the tiger keelback, [2] yamakagashi, or kkotbaem, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to East Asia and Southeast Asia. Many sources, though not ITIS, [3] recognize one subspecies, Rhabdophis tigrinus formosanus of Taiwan. [2] [4]

Contents

Description

The dorsal color pattern of R. tigrinus is olive-drab green, with black and bright orange crossbars or spots from the neck down the first third of the body. The belly is whitish. The average total length (including tail) is usually 60–100 cm (24–39 in). [5]

Geographic range

R. tigrinus is found in eastern Russia (Primorskiy and Khabarovsk territories), North and South Korea, China (widespread, except in the western third and the extreme south; Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Guizhou, Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia), on the island of Taiwan, in Vietnam and in Japan (Yakushima, Tanegashima, Kyūshū, Shikoku, Honshu, Osaka and in the Ryukyu Islands). The type locality given is "Japan". [2]

Diet

The diet of R. tigrinus consists mainly of small vertebrates, especially frogs and toads. It forages using both chemical (smell/tongue) and visual cues to find its prey. [6]

Defensive behavior

Rhabdophis tigrinus has two rows of glands in its neck that provide protection from predators by releasing steroidal toxins that are sequestered from ingested poisonous toads, referred to as kleptotoxisism. [7] When this species is challenged at cooler temperatures it tends to demonstrate passive anti-predator responses such as flattening the neck and body and lying still, while at higher temperatures it more frequently flees instead. [8] This snake thus appears to rely more heavily on the deterrence provided by these glands at low ambient temperatures. [8] Although venomous, few deaths have been recorded due to its tendency to display one of these other behaviors as opposed to striking. This hesitancy to strike at a predator in turn may be because its fangs are located in the back of the mouth, making a successful strike on a large object difficult. [9]

Related Research Articles

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Garter snake is the common name for small to medium-sized snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis in the family Colubridae. Native to North and Central America, species in the genus Thamnophis can be found in all of the lower 48 United States, and nearly all of the Canadian provinces south of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut—with the exception of Newfoundland and Labrador. They are found from the subarctic plains of west-central Canada east through Ontario and Quebec; from the Maritime Provinces and south to Florida, across the southern and central U.S. into the arid regions of the southwest and Mexico, Guatemala and south to the neotropics and Costa Rica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common garter snake</span> Species of snake

The common garter snake is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is indigenous to North America and found widely across the continent. There are several recognized subspecies. Most common garter snakes have a pattern of yellow stripes on a black, brown or green background, and their average total length is about 55 cm (22 in), with a maximum total length of about 137 cm (54 in). The average body mass is 150 g (5.3 oz). The common garter snake is the state reptile of Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boomslang</span> Species of snake

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamaican boa</span> Species of snake

The Jamaican boa, Jamaican yellow boa or yellow snake is a boa species endemic to Jamaica. No subspecies are recognized. Like all other boas, it is not venomous.

<i>Rhabdophis plumbicolor</i> Species of snake

Rhabdophis plumbicolor, known as the green keelback or lead keelback, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae native to parts of the Indian subcontinent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Checkered keelback</span> Species of snake

The checkered keelback, also known commonly as the Asiatic water snake, is a common species in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia. It is non-venomous.

<i>Rhabdophis subminiatus</i> Species of snake

Rhabdophis subminiatus, commonly called the red-necked keelback or red-necked keelback snake, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venomous snake</span> Species of the suborder Serpentes that produce venom

Venomous snakes are species of the suborder Serpentes that are capable of producing venom, which they use for killing prey, for defense, and to assist with digestion of their prey. The venom is typically delivered by injection using hollow or grooved fangs, although some venomous snakes lack well-developed fangs. Common venomous snakes include the families Elapidae, Viperidae, Atractaspididae, and some of the Colubridae. The toxicity of venom is mainly indicated by murine LD50, while multiple factors are considered to judge the potential danger to humans. Other important factors for risk assessment include the likelihood that a snake will bite, the quantity of venom delivered with the bite, the efficiency of the delivery mechanism, and the location of a bite on the body of the victim. Snake venom may have both neurotoxic and hemotoxic properties. There are about 600 venomous snake species in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern hognose snake</span> Species of snake

The eastern hog-nosed snake, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. This species prefers habitats with sandy soils and a combination of grass fields and forest edges. They come in many different colorations and have the identifiable upturned "snout". They can be found in captivity but are a more difficult species to keep due to a specialized diet of toads.

<i>Anaxyrus fowleri</i> Species of amphibian

Fowler's toad is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. The species is native to North America, where it occurs in much of the eastern United States and parts of adjacent Canada. It was previously considered a subspecies of Woodhouse's toad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natricinae</span> Subfamily of snakes

The Natricinae are a subfamily of colubroid snakes, sometimes referred to as a family (Natricidae). The subfamily comprises 36 genera. Members include many very common snake species, such as the European grass snakes, and the North American water snakes and garter snakes. Some Old World members of the subfamily are known as keelbacks, because their dorsal scales exhibit strong keeling.

<i>Rhabdophis</i> Genus of snakes

Rhabdophis is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. Species in the genus Rhabdophis are generally called keelback snakes, and are found primarily in Southeast Asia.

<i>Tachymenis</i> Genus of snakes

Tachymenis is a genus of venomous snakes belonging to the family Colubridae. Species in the genus Tachymenis are commonly known as slender snakes or short-tailed snakes and are primarily found in southern South America. Tachymenis are rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous) and are capable of producing a medically significant bite, with at least one species, T. peruviana, responsible for human fatalities.

<i>Philodryas olfersii</i> Species of snake

Philodryas olfersii is a species of venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America.

Rhabdophis ceylonensis is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka. The species is commonly known as the Sri Lanka blossom krait, the Sri Lanka keelback, and මල් කරවලා or නිහලුවා (nihaluwa) in Sinhala. It is a moderately venomous snake.

<i>Achalinus formosanus</i> Species of snake

Achalinus formosanus, common name Formosan odd-scaled snake or Taiwan burrowing snake, is a non-venomous snake in family Xenodermidae that is found in Taiwan and in the southern Ryukyu Islands (Japan).

<i>Rhabdophis swinhonis</i> Species of snake

Rhabdophis swinhonis is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Taiwan. It is also known commonly as the Taiwan keelback and Swinhoe's grass snake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toxungen</span>

Toxungen comprises a secretion or other body fluid of one or more biological toxins that is transferred by one animal to the external surface of another animal via a physical delivery mechanism. Toxungens can be delivered through spitting, spraying, or smearing. As one of three categories of biological toxins, toxungens can be distinguished from poisons, which are passively transferred via ingestion, inhalation, or absorption across the skin, and venoms, which are delivered through a wound generated by a bite, sting, or other such action. Toxungen use offers the evolutionary advantage of delivering toxins into the target's tissues without the need for physical contact.

Rhabdophis adleri is a species of keelback snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to China.

References

  1. Borkin, L.; Orlov, N.L.; Milto, K.; Golynsky, E.; Ota, H.; Kidera, N.; Nguyen, T.Q.; Borzee, A. (2021). "Rhabdophis tigrinus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T191942A2018809. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Rhabdophis tigrinus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 21 September 2008.
  3. "Rhabdophis tigrinus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 21 September 2008.
  4. Breuer, Hans; Murphy, William Christopher (2009–2010). "Rhabdophis tigrinus formosanus". Snakes of Taiwan. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Rhabdophis tigrinus lateralis at Animal Pictures Archive. Accessed 21 September 2008.
  6. Tanaka, Koji (2002). "Foraging Behavior of Rhabdophis tigrinus (Serpentes: Colubridae) in a Gutter with a Dense Aggregation of tadpoles". Current Herpetology. 21 (1): 1–8. doi: 10.5358/hsj.21.1 .
  7. Hutchinson DA, Mori A, Savitzky AH, Burghardt GM, Wu X, Meinwald J, Schroeder FC (2007). "Dietary sequestration of defensive steroids in nuchal glands of the Asian snake Rhabdophis tigrinus". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 104 (7): 2265–2270. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0610785104 . PMC   1892995 . PMID   17284596.
  8. 1 2 Mori A, Burghardt GM (2001). "Temperature effects on anti-predator behaviour in Rhabdophis tigrinus, a snake with toxic nuchal glands". Ethology. 107 (9): 795–811. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0310.2001.00706.x.
  9. Sawai Y, Honma M, Kawamura Y, Saki A, Hatsuse M (2002). "Rhabdophis tigrinus in Japan: Pathogenesis of envenomation and production of antivenom". Toxin Reviews. 21 (1–2): 181–201. doi:10.1081/TXR-120004746. S2CID   84284824.

Further reading