Malagasy Giant Hognose Snake
in Lokobe Strict Reserve, Madagascar
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pseudoxyrhophiidae
Genus: Leioheterodon
Species:
L. madagascariensis
Binomial name
Leioheterodon madagascariensis
Duméril & Bibron, 1854

Leioheterodon madagascariensis, the Malagasy Giant Hognose or Madagascar Giant Hognose, is a harmless species of snake that can be found in Madagascar, Nosy Be, Nosy Sakatia and Comoros Islands. They can grow from 130 to 180 cm.[2] It is thought by some to have been introduced to the Grande Comoro.[3]

Its principal diet consists of reptiles, frogs, birds, eggs, and sometimes other snakes and small lemurs.

Some females of this species have been found in the wild coiled around their eggs long after they have hatched.[4] It may do this in an attempt to guard its clutch to protect it from potential egg thieves.[5]

This snake has a mildly toxic saliva that irritates human skin, but is not deadly.[6] When threatened they will stretch out the skin around their neck and hood up in an attempt to look larger and more intimidating.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Raxworthy, C.J.; Hawlitschek, O. (2011). "Leioheterodon madagascariensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T172892A6936933. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172892A6936933.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "A C Snakes - GIANT MADAGASCAN HOGNOSE CARE SHEET - Leioheterodon madagascariensis". Archived from the original on 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
  3. ↑ Glaw, Frank; Vences, Miguel (2007). A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar 3rd edition. Köln: M. Vences & F. Glaw Verlags GbR. ISBN 978-3-929449-03-7.
  4. ↑ Mori, Akira, and Tahirihasina Mathieu Randriamboavonjy. “Field Observation of Maternal Attendance of Eggs in a Madagascan Snake, Leioheterodon Madagascariensis.” BioOne Complete, 1 Dec. 2010, bioone.org/journals/current-herpetology/volume-29/issue-2/018.029.0204/Field-Observation-of-Maternal-Attendance-of-Eggs-in-a-Madagascan/10.3105/018.029.0204.short.
  5. ↑ sipa, Masika (2018-01-03). "Madagascar's giant hognose snake". MADAMAGAZINE. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  6. ↑ Razafimahatratra, Bertrand; Wang, Cynthia; Mori, Akira; Glaw, Frank (2015). "Potential envenomation by the aglyphous pseudoxyrhophiine snake Leioheterodon madagascariensis and description of its dentition". The Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins Including Tropical Diseases. 21: 47. doi:10.1186/s40409-015-0047-2. ISSN 1678-9199. PMC 4654879. PMID 26594226.
  7. ↑ Meet the Madagascar Giant Hognose Snake!, retrieved 2023-08-06


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