Lycophidion
Lycophidion | |
---|---|
Lycophidion variegatum | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Lamprophiidae |
Subfamily: | Lamprophiinae |
Genus: | Lycophidion Fitzinger, 1843 |
Species | |
20 species, see text. |
Lycophidion is a genus of nonvenomous lamprophiid snakes commonly referred to as the wolf snakes.
As of 2015 there are 20 recognized species in the genus.[1]
Description and behavior[]
Wolf snakes are small snakes which forage at night for sleeping lizards.[2] They have flat heads and large recurved teeth that are assumed to aid them in their extraction of lizards from their lairs.[3]
Reproduction[]
All species in the genus Lycophidion are oviparous and lay between 3 and 10 eggs.[3]
Species[]
The following species are recognized as being valid.[1]
- Günther, 1868
- Steindachner, 1870
- Lycophidion capense (A. Smith, 1831)
- Laurent, 1968
- Laurent, 1964
- Lycophidion irroratum (Leach, 1819)
- Hallowell, 1857
- Boulenger, 1893
- Boettger, 1888
- Broadley, 1991
- (Broadley, 1958)
- (W. Peters, 1863)
- Parker, 1936
- Laurent,1968
- Broadley, 1996
- W. Peters, 1854
- A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854
- Broadley & , 1993
- Loveridge, 1932
- Lycophidion variegatum Broadley, 1969
Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Lycophidion.
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Uetz, Peter. "Search results - Lycophidion ". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ Marais, Johan (2004). A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa (New ed.). Cape Town: Struik. ISBN 978-1868729326.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Alexander, Graham; Marais, Johan (2007). A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa (3. impression. ed.). Cape Town: Struik. p. 94. ISBN 9781770073869. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
Further reading[]
- Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Revised edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Genus Lycophidion, p. 76).
- Fitzinger L (1843). Systema Reptilium, Fasciculus Primus, Amblyglossae. Vienna: Braumüller & Seidel. 106 pp. + indices. (Lycophidion, new genus, p. 27). (in Latin).
Categories:
- Lamprophiidae
- Snake genera
- Taxa named by Leopold Fitzinger
- Colubrid stubs