Calamaria yunnanensis is a species of snake of the family Colubridae. It is commonly known as the Yunnan reed snake.

Calamaria yunnanensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Calamaria
Species:
C. yunnanensis
Binomial name
Calamaria yunnanensis
Chernov, 1962

Geographic Range

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The Yunnan reed snake is found in China, where it is known only from the Wuliang Mountains of central Yunnan (Jingdong and Nanjian counties).[2]

Physical Description

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The Yunnan reed snake is a small, slender snake, typically reaching lengths of around 30-40 cm.

It has a cylindrical body and a small, pointed head.The snake's coloration is generally brown or grayish-brown dorsally, with a lighter, sometimes yellowish, ventral surface.[3]

Habitat and Ecology

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The Yunnan reed snake inhabits montane forest and shrubland habitats in the Wuliang Mountains. It is believed to be a fossorial species, spending much of its time burrowing and moving through leaf litter and soil.

The snake's diet likely consists of small invertebrates, such as insects and earthworms, that it forages for underground.Little is known about the snake's reproductive biology and life cycle, as it is a poorly studied species.[3]

Conservation Status

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  • The Yunnan reed snake is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[4]
  • Its limited geographic range and habitat loss in the Wuliang Mountains due to deforestation and development are the primary threats to the species.
  • Further research is needed to better understand the population status and ecology of the Yunnan reed snake in order to develop effective conservation strategies.

References

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  1. ^ Rao, D.-q.; Zhou, Z. (2012). "Calamaria yunnanensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T191994A2025336. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T191994A2025336.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Calamaria yunnanensis". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  3. ^ a b Lee, Justin L. (2021-03-04). "Description of a new species of Southeast Asian reed snake from northern Laos (Squamata: Colubridae: Genus Calamaria F. Boie, 1827) with a revised diagnosis of Calamaria yunnanensis Chernov, 1962". Journal of Natural History. 55 (9–10): 531–560. doi:10.1080/00222933.2021.1909165. ISSN 0022-2933.
  4. ^ "CHART: The world's most endangered snakes". Mongabay.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.