Elapsoidea loveridgei
| Elapsoidea loveridgei | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Elapsoidea |
| Species: | E. loveridgei
|
| Binomial name | |
| Elapsoidea loveridgei H. Parker, 1949
| |
| File:Elapsoidea loveridgei map.jpg | |
| Geographic range of Elapsoidea loveridgei (in red) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Elapsoidea loveridgei, also known commonly as Loveridge's garter snake and the East African garter snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae.[2] The species is native to East Africa.[2] There are three recognized subspecies.
Etymology
[edit | edit source]The specific name, loveridgei, is in honor of herpetologist Arthur Loveridge.[3]: 161
Description
[edit | edit source]Adults of Elapsoidea loveridgei usually have a total length (tail included) of 30–55 cm (12–22 in). However, it may attain a total length of 65 cm (26 in). The tail is short, about 7.5% of the total length. The dorsal scales, which are smooth and glossy, are arranged in 13 rows at midbody. The coloration is black with light crossbands, which may be white, yellow, pink, or red.[4]
Geographic range
[edit | edit source]Elapsoidea loveridgei is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.[1][2]
Habitat
[edit | edit source]The preferred natural habitats of Elapsoidea loveridgei are woodland, savanna, and grassland, at altitudes of 600–2,200 m (2,000–7,200 ft).[1]
Behavior
[edit | edit source]Elapsoidea loveridgei is terrestrial and nocturnal.[1]
Defensive behavior
[edit | edit source]If threatened, Elapsoidea loveridgei inflates and flattens its body, making the bright-colored crossbands more prominent. It may also raise the anterior half of the body and move it abruptly from side to side.[4]
Diet
[edit | edit source]Elapsoidea loveridgei preys upon small frogs, lizards, snakes, and mammals, and also eats reptile eggs.[1]
Reproduction
[edit | edit source]Elapsoidea loveridgei is oviparous.[1][2]
Venom
[edit | edit source]Elapsoidea loveridgei is venomous. In humans, its bite causes local pain and swelling, plus pain and swelling in the lymph nodes. There is no antivenom for species of the genus Elapsoidea, but no human fatalities have been recorded.[4]
Subspecies
[edit | edit source]The following three subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[2]
- Elapsoidea loveridgei colleti Laurent, 1956
- Elapsoidea loveridgei loveridgei H. Parker, 1949
- Elapsoidea loveridgei multicincta Laurent, 1956
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c d e f Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c d e f Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). 624 pp. (Genus Elapsoidea, p. 543; Elapsoidea loveridgei, pp. 546–547).
Further reading
[edit | edit source]- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (Elapsoidea loveridgei, new taxonomic status).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (Elapsoidea decosteri colleti, new subspecies; E. d. multicincta, new subspecies). (in French).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). (Elapsoidea sundevallii loveridgei, new subspecies, pp. 95–96).
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