Calliophis salitan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Calliophis salitan | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Calliophis |
| Species: | C. salitan |
| Binomial name | |
| Calliophis salitan Brown et al., 2018 | |
Calliophis salitan is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines and known from Dinagat Island and Mindanao;[1][2] the former is based on a small number of recent records whereas the latter is based on a museum specimen from 1887.[1]
It is unique for its large size as well as its body coloration of a black head & neck with black & white bands along the width of the body, terminating at a bright orange tail. It is distinct from any other coral snake species in the Philippines or Sundas, but is most closely related to the blue coral snake complex (C. bivirgatus & C. intestinalis) of the Sunda Shelf. While it is known only from Dinagat Island and possibly Mindanao, it may also occur or have formerly occurred on other islands in the Sulu Archipelago.[3][4]
