Rhinophis punctatus, or Müller's earth snake, is a species of snake in the Uropeltidae family. It is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka.[1][2]
Rhinophis punctatus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Uropeltidae |
Genus: | Rhinophis |
Species: | R. punctatus
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Binomial name | |
Rhinophis punctatus J.P. Müller, 1832
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Description
editYellowish dorsally and ventrally, each scale with a blackspot. However, the scales of the rows adjoining the vertebral row lack spots.
Adults may attain a total length of 39 cm (15+1⁄4 in).
Scalation very similar to Rhinophis oxyrhynchus. Differs in having a more slender body (diameter 47 to 49 times in total length) and a higher number of ventrals (236-246).[3]
References
edit- ^ Rhinophis punctatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 March 2020.
- ^ Bamaradeniya, Channa N.B. The Fauna of Sri Lanka: Status of Taxonomy, Research and Conservation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IUCN, 2006. 163.
- ^ Boulenger, G.A. 1893. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families...Uropeltidæ... Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. p. 141.
Further reading
edit- Müller, J.P. 1832. Beiträge zur Anatomie und Naturgeschichte der Amphibien. Zeitschrift für Physiologie. Band 4. pp. 190–275, Plates XVIII-XXII. (Rhinophis punctata [sic], p. 248, Plate XXI, Figures 1-3).