Cacophis is a genus of venomous snakes, commonly known as crowned snakes, in the family Elapidae. The genus is endemic to Australia.
| Cacophis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Cacophis squamulosus, golden-crowned snake | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Subfamily: | Hydrophiinae |
| Genus: | Cacophis Günther, 1863 |
| Species | |
|
4, see text | |
Description edit
All species of Cacophis have a distinct "crown" pattern on the head, which gives them their common names. They are venomous, but not dangerous to people.
Species edit
The following four species are recognized as being valid.[1]
- Cacophis churchilli Wells & Wellington, 1985 – northern dwarf crowned snake - ne Queensland
- Cacophis harriettae Krefft, 1869 – white-crowned snake - e Queensland and ne NSW
- Cacophis krefftii Günther, 1863 – dwarf crowned snake - se Queensland and e NSW
- Cacophis squamulosus (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854) – golden-crowned snake - e Queensland, e NSW and ACT
Nota bene: In the above list, a binomial authority in parentheses indicate that the species was originally described in a genus other than Cacophis.
Distribution and habitat edit
Species of Cacophis are distributed along eastern Australia.[2] They inhabit a variety of forest types, from woodland to rainforest.
Behaviour edit
Cacophis species are generally nocturnal and feed on lizards and reptile eggs.
References edit
- ^ Cacophis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Genus Cacophis Günther, 1863". Australian Faunal Directory. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
Further reading edit
- Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN 978-0643100350.
- Günther A (1863). "Third Account of new Species of Snakes in the Collection of the British Museum". Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Third Series 12: 348-365 + Plates V & VI. (Cacophis, new genus, p. 361).
- Swan, Gerry (1995). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Australia. Sydney: New Holland. 144 pp. ISBN 1-85368-585-2.
- Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN 978-1921517280.
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