Thrasops occidentalis

Last updated

Thrasops occidentalis
Bonn zoological bulletin - Thrasops occidentalis.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Thrasops
Species:
T. occidentalis
Binomial name
Thrasops occidentalis
(Parker, 1940}

Thrasops occidentalis, commonly known as the western black snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The snake is found in central Africa. [2] [3] This species is native to parts of West and Central Africa and is known for its distinct black coloration. [4]

Contents

Taxonomy

The species was first described by George Albert Boulenger in 1895.

Description

Thrasops occidentalis is characterized by its predominantly black coloration, which provides camouflage in its natural habitat. The snake can vary in size, but adults typically range from 1.5 to 2 meters in length. The scales are smooth, and the body is elongated, allowing for efficient movement through its environment.

Distribution and habitat

Thrasops occidentalis is found in various countries across West and Central Africa, including:

Its habitat includes tropical forests, savannas, and sometimes agricultural areas. The snake prefers environments where it can easily find prey and suitable shelter.

Behavior and ecology

Diet and reproduction

The diet of Thrasops occidentalis primarily consists of small mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles. It is an opportunistic feeder and uses its agility to capture a variety of prey. Thrasops occidentalis is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs. The breeding season and specific reproductive behaviors are not well-documented but are presumed to be similar to other colubrid snakes, with females laying clutches of eggs that hatch after an incubation period.

Predators and threats

As with many snake species, Thrasops occidentalis faces predation from larger mammals, birds of prey, and humans. Habitat destruction and fragmentation pose significant threats to its population due to deforestation and agricultural expansion.

Conservation status

The conservation status of Thrasops occidentalis has not been extensively studied, and it is not currently listed on the IUCN Red List. However, habitat loss and human activities could potentially impact its population in the future.

Related Research Articles

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

The smooth green snake is a species of North American nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is also referred to as the grass snake. It is a slender, "small medium" snake that measures 36–51 cm (14–20 in) as an adult. It gets its common name from its smooth dorsal scales, as opposed to the rough green snake, which has keeled dorsal scales. The smooth green snake is found in marshes, meadows, open woods, and along stream edges, and is native to regions of Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. A non-aggressive snake, it seldom bites and usually flees when threatened. It mates in late spring to summer, and females lay their eggs from June to September. The smooth green snake will often bob its head in order to mimic vegetation blowing in the wind.

<i>Imantodes cenchoa</i> Species of snake

Imantodes cenchoa, also known commonly as the blunthead tree snake, the neotropical blunt-headed tree snake, and the fiddle-string snake, is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America.

<i>Boiga forsteni</i> Species of snake

Boiga forsteni, also known commonly as Forsten's cat snake, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.

<i>Elaphe hodgsoni</i> Species of snake

Elaphe hodgsoni, also known commonly as Hodgson's rat snake and the Himalayan trinket snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to parts of Asia around the Himalayas.

<i>Ptyas mucosa</i> Species of snake

Ptyas mucosa, commonly known as the Oriental rat snake, dhaman or Indian rat snake, is a common non-venomous species of colubrid snake found in parts of South and Southeast Asia. Dhamans are large snakes. Typical mature total length is around 1.5 to 1.95 m though some exceed 2 m. The record length for this species was 3.7 m, second only to their cousin Ptyas carinata among living colubrid snakes. Despite their large size, oriental ratsnakes are usually quite slender with even a specimen of 2 m commonly measuring 4 to 6 cm only around in diameter. Furthermore, the average weight of ratsnakes caught in Java was around 877 to 940 g, though larger males of over 2.3 m may easily weigh over 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). Their color varies from pale browns in dry regions to nearly black in moist forest areas. Rat snakes are diurnal, semi-arboreal, non-venomous, and fast-moving. Rat snakes eat a variety of prey and are frequently found in urban areas where rodents thrive.

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

Diadophis punctatus, commonly known as the ring-necked snake or ringneck snake, is a rather small, harmless species of colubrid snake found throughout much of the United States, as well as south in Central Mexico and as far north as Quebec, Canada. Ring-necked snakes are generally fossorial and somewhat secretive, by nature, and, as a nocturnal species, are rarely seen during the daytime. These snakes are believed to be fairly abundant throughout most of their range, though no scientific evaluation supports this hypothesis. Scientific research is lacking for the species, despite their apparently common status, and more in-depth investigations are greatly needed. It is the only species within the genus Diadophis and, currently, 14 subspecies are identified, though many herpetologists question the morphologically-based classifications.

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

The eastern racer, or North American racer, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America and Central America. Eleven subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies, are recognized, which as a group are commonly referred to as the eastern racers. The species is monotypic in the genus Coluber.

<i>Drymobius margaritiferus</i> Species of snake

Drymobius margaritiferus, commonly known as the speckled racer, is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake native to the Americas. The specific name, margaritiferus, means "pearl-bearing" in Latin, referring to the pearl-like spots on the dorsal scales.

<i>Dendrelaphis punctulatus</i> Species of snake

Dendrelaphis punctulatus, also known commonly as the Australian tree snake, the common tree snake, and the green tree snake, is a species of slender, large-eyed, diurnal, non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to many parts of Australia, especially in the northern and eastern coastal areas, and to Papua New Guinea.

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

The ladder snake is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to southwestern Europe.

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

The striped whipsnake is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. It is closely related to the California whipsnake. The striped whipsnake is native to the western United States and adjacent northern Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goldie's tree cobra</span> Species of snake

Goldie's tree cobra, also known commonly as the African tree cobra and as Gold's tree cobra, is a species of venomous tree cobra in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Central and Western Africa. This species is one of the two tree cobras in Africa, the other being the black tree cobra. Goldie's tree cobra is one of the most venomous snakes and creatures in Africa.

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

Elaphe quatuorlineata is a member of the family Colubridae. The four-lined snake is a non-venomous species and one of the largest of the European snakes.

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

The Cape file snake is a species of large, non-venomous snake endemic to Africa, belonging to the family Lamprophiidae.

<i>Masticophis flagellum flagellum</i> Subspecies of snake

Masticophis flagellum flagellum, commonly known as the Eastern coachwhip, is a subspecies of M. flagellum, a nonvenomous, colubrid snake, endemic to the southern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Large-eyed green tree snake</span> Species of snake

The large-eyed green tree snake, also known commonly as the splendid dagger-tooth tree snake, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa. There are three recognized subspecies.

The spotted dagger-tooth tree snake is a species of venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is indigenous to Middle Africa.

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

The olive marsh snake is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa.

<i>Toxicodryas blandingii</i> Species of snake

Toxicodryas blandingii, commonly known as Blanding's cat snake and Blanding's tree snake, is a species of rear-fanged venomous snake of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Thrasops jacksonii, also known commonly as the black tree snake and Jackson's black tree snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Central Africa.

References

  1. Branch, W.R.; Luiselli, L. (2013). "Thrasops occidentalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T13265717A13265724. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T13265717A13265724.en . Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  2. British Museum (Natural History). Dept. of Zoology; Boulenger, George Albert (1893). Catalogue of the snakes in the British Museum (Natural History) . Smithsonian Libraries. London : Printed by order of the Trustees.
  3. "Thrasops occidentalis". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  4. "A Field guide to the reptiles of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi". Choice Reviews Online. 39: 39–5814–39-5814. 2002-06-01. doi:10.5860/CHOICE.39-5814.