Brachyurophis approximans, also known as the north-western shovel-nosed snake, is a species of mildly venomous burrowing snake that is endemic to Australia. The specific epithet approximans ("approaching") alludes to its similarity to Brachyurophis campbelli.[3]
| Brachyurophis approximans | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Brachyurophis |
| Species: | B. approximans
|
| Binomial name | |
| Brachyurophis approximans (Glauert, 1954)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
editThe species grows to about 30 cm in length. There are some 50–80 dark brown bands along the body, much broader than the pale bands separating them. The belly is whitish.[4]
Behaviour
editThe species is oviparous, with a clutch size of three. It feeds on reptile eggs.[3]
Distribution and habitat
editThe species occurs in the arid Pilbara and adjacent areas of north-west Western Australia, in stony soils vegetated with Acacia.[4] The type locality is Muccan Station in the Pilbara.
References
edit- ^ Ellis, R.; Wilson, S. (2017). "Brachyurophis approximans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T102704253A102704270. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T102704253A102704270.en. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ Glauert, L (1954). "Herpetological miscellanea. III. A new burrowing snake from north-western Australia (Rhynchoelaps approximans, sp. nov.)". Western Australian Naturalist. 4: 85.
- ^ a b "North-western shovel-nosed snake". Australian Reptile Online Database. Stewart Macdonald. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ a b "North-western shovel-nosed snake". WA Museum Collections. Western Australian Museum. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
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