Seychelles wolf snake

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The Seychelles wolf snake (Lycognathophis seychellensis) is a species of snake in the superfamily Colubroidea. It is monotypic within the genus Lycognathophis.[5] The Neo-Latin name, Lycognathophis, is derived from the Greek words λύκος (lykos) meaning "wolf", γνάθος (gnathos) meaning "jaw", and όφις (ophis) meaning "snake", referring to the snake's dentition.[6]

Seychelles wolf snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Lycognathophis
Boulenger, 1893 [2]
Species:
L. seychellensis
Binomial name
Lycognathophis seychellensis
(Schlegel, 1837) [1]
Synonyms

Geographic range

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It is endemic to Seychelles.[1]

Description

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This species has 20-22 large, subequal maxillary teeth and its anterior mandibular teeth are very large, much larger than in the posterior. Its head is very distinct from the neck. The eye is moderate, with a vertically elliptic pupil but no loreal shield. Body elongate; dorsal scales keeled, with apical pits, in 17 rows. Tail long; anal divided; subcaudals paired. Ventrals 184-202; subcaudals 92-110.

Dorsally yellowish or grayish brown, uniform or with dark brown spots; dark streak on each side of head, passing through eye; upper lip yellowish, usually with brown dots; posteriorly four series of brown spots, confluent into stripes on tail. Ventrally yellowish, usually powdered or dotted with brown; a brown spot at each outer end of anterior ventrals.

Adults may attain 1 m (40 inches) in total length, with a tail 31 cm (12 inches) long.[3]

Habitat

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Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Conservation status

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It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Gerlach, J.; Ineich, I. (2006). "Lycognathophis seychellensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2006: e.T61427A12481585. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T61427A12481585.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Lycognathophis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  3. ^ a b Boulenger, G.A. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History), Volume I. London.
  4. ^ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  5. ^ "Lycognathophis seychellensis". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  6. ^ Mish, F.C., Editor in Chief. 2004. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition. Merriam-Webster. Springfield, Massachusetts.