Echiopsis
Bardick | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Elapidae |
Genus: | Echiopsis Fitzinger, 1843 |
Species: | E. curta
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Binomial name | |
Echiopsis curta (Schlegel, 1843)
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Echiopsis is a genus of snake in the family Elapidae. It contains a single species, Echiopsis curta, commonly known as bardick. It is endemic to Australia.
Description[]
The bardick has a solid body color; either tan, reddish brown, brown, or grey. The head is visually distinct from the body. These snakes are rather stout, have pointed tails, and have elliptical pupils. The size of these snakes on average is around 40 cm., although specimens measuring around 70 cm. have been recorded.[citation needed]
These snakes are venomous, albeit mildly. Like all elapids, they inject their venom swiftly through fangs placed in the front of the jaw.[2]
Distribution and habitat[]
Echiopsis curta ranges from southern Western Australia through South Australia, and west to Victoria and New South Wales. It inhabits semiarid grasslands and shrublands, and is usually found under rocks, debris, fallen vegetation, etc.[1]
Ecology[]
The species is nocturnal. They prey upon a wide variety of rodents, lizards, amphibians, and sometimes birds and insects.[1] It is ovoviviparous, on average birthing 7 young.[2]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Lloyd, R., Cowan, M. & Sanderson, C. (2017). "Echiopsis curta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017. Retrieved 2021-02-13.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Bardick - Echiopsis curta". Whats snake is that?.
- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Echiopsis
- Reptiles of Western Australia
- Vulnerable fauna of Australia
- Reptiles described in 1843
- Snakes of Australia
- Elapidae
- Monotypic snake genera
- Taxa named by Leopold Fitzinger