Spalerosophis atriceps, the Black headed royal snake or Fischer's royal snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South Asia.
| Spalerosophis atriceps | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Spalerosophis |
| Species: | S. atriceps
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| Binomial name | |
| Spalerosophis atriceps (Fischer, 1885)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Geographic range edit
S. atriceps is found in northwestern India, Nepal, and Pakistan.[2]
The type locality given in the original description is "Himalaya ".[2]
Habitat edit
The preferred habitats of S. atriceps are deserts, rocky areas, and scrub forest.[3]
Description edit
S. atriceps may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 2 m (6.6 ft). Dorsally, it is pale orange, pink, or yellow, with scattered black flecks. The dorsal surface of the head is either entirely black or black and deep red. The sides of the head and the nape of the neck are deep red. Ventrally, it is pinkish.[3]
Behavior edit
Reproduction edit
S. atriceps is oviparous. In India, the adult female lays a clutch of 3 to 8 eggs in October. The eggs are 56–78 mm (2.2–3.1 in) long by 16–27 mm (0.63–1.06 in) wide.[3]
References edit
- ^ Srinivasulu, C. (2021). "Spalerosophis atriceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T20878735A20878743. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T20878735A20878743.en. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ a b c Species Spalerosophis atriceps at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ a b c d Das I (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. (Spalerosophis atriceps, p. 46).
Further reading edit
- Fischer JG (1885). "Herpetologische Bemerkungen ". Jahrbuch der Hamburgischen Wissenschaftlichen Anstalten 2: 82–121. (Zamenis diadema Var. atriceps, new variety, pp. 102–103). (in German).
- Minton SA Jr (1966). "A contribution to the herpetology of West Pakistan". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 134: 29–184. (Spalerosophis atriceps, new combination, pp. 124–126).
- Smith MA (1943). The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, Including the Whole of the Indo-Chinese Sub-region. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. III.—Serpentes. London: Secretary of State for India. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 583 pp. (Coluber diadema atriceps, pp. 174–175).
- Whitaker R, Captain A (2007). Snakes of India: The Field Guide. Chennai: Draco Books. 495 pp. ISBN 978-8190187305.
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