Rhinophis erangaviraji
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Uropeltidae
Genus: Rhinophis
Species:
R. erangaviraji
Binomial name
Rhinophis erangaviraji

Rhinophis erangaviraji, also known commonly as Eranga Viraj's shieldtail snake, is a species of snake in the family Uropeltidae. The species is endemic to Sri Lanka, where it was discovered in the Rakwana area of Matara District.[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of R. erangaviraji are forest and grassland, at altitudes of 900–1,300 m (3,000–4,300 ft), but it has also been found in disturbed areas such as tea plantations and home gardens.[1]

Description

The species R. erangaviraji is easily distinguished from other shieldtails in Sri Lanka through color variations. The head is black, with yellow irregular spots. The eyes are black. The body is black dorsally, with some yellow irregular patches. The ventral surface is cream-colored, with a stripe running along the vent region. The tail shield is black with small spines on it, which help to gather sand particles. Juveniles are similar to adults, but with a darker head and a paler body.

The largest paratype specimen has a snout-to-vent length of 29 cm (11 in).[2]

Behavior

R. erangaviraji is terrestrial and fossorial, burrowing as deep as 1 m (3.3 ft) in loose soil.[1]

Reproduction

Mating of R. erangaviraji may occur during July and August, as juveniles can be seen from October to January.

Etymology

The specific name, erangaviraji, is in honor of Sri Lankan zoologist Eranga Viraj Dayarathne, who was an Instructor of the Reptiles group of the Young Zoologists’ Association of Sri Lanka, and Department of National Zoological Gardens.[2][3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Wickramasinghe LJM, Wickramasinghe N (2021). "Rhinophis erangaviraji ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T197175A123311937.en. Accessed on 31 December 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Rhinophis erangaviraji at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 31 May 2020.
  3. ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Rhinophis erangaviraji, p. 84).

Further reading



This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.