Brachyurophis approximans
| Brachyurophis approximans | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Brachyurophis |
| Species: | B. approximans
|
| Binomial name | |
| Brachyurophis approximans (Glauert, 1954) Greer, 2006
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Brachyurophis approximans, also known as the north-western shovel-nosed snake, is a species of venomous burrowing snake that is endemic to Australia. The specific epithet approximans (“approaching”) alludes to its similarity to Brachyurophis campbelli.[2]
Description[]
The species grows to about 30 cm in length. There are some 50–80 dark brown bands along the body, much broader than the pale bands separating them. The belly is whitish.[3]
Behaviour[]
The species is oviparous, with a clutch size of three. It feeds on reptile eggs.[2]
Distribution and habitat[]
The species occurs in the arid Pilbara and adjacent areas of north-west Western Australia, in stony soils vegetated with Acacia.[3] The type locality is Muccan Station in the Pilbara.
References[]
- ^ Glauert, L (1954). "Herpetological miscellanea. III. A new burrowing snake from north-western Australia (Rhynchoelaps approximans, sp. nov.)". Western Australian Naturalist. 4: 85.
- ^ a b "North-western shovel-nosed snake". Australian Reptile Online Database. Stewart Macdonald. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ a b "North-western shovel-nosed snake". WA Museum Collections. Western Australian Museum. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
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- Brachyurophis
- Snakes of Australia
- Endemic fauna of Australia
- Reptiles of Western Australia
- Taxa named by Ludwig Glauert
- Reptiles described in 1954
- Elapidae stubs