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Elaphe moellendorffi

Species of snake From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Elaphe moellendorffi, commonly called the flower snake, Moellendorf's rat snake, and Moellendorff's trinket snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to mainland Southeast Asia.

Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Suborder:Serpentes
Quick facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
Elaphe moellendorffi
A juvenile flower snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Elaphe
Species:
E. moellendorffi
Binomial name
Elaphe moellendorffi
(Boettger, 1886)
Synonyms[2]
  • Cynophis moellendorffi
    Boettger, 1886
  • Coluber moellendorffi
    — Boulenger, 1894
  • Elaphe moellendorffi
    — Stejneger, 1907
  • Amblycephalus moellendorffi
    — Deuve, 1961
  • Orthriophis moellendorffi
    — Utiger et al., 2002
  • Elaphe moellendorffi
    — Chen et al., 2017
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Etymology

The specific name, moellendorffi, is in honor of German malacologist Otto Franz von Möllendorff.[3]

Geographic distribution and Habitat

Elaphe moellendorffi is found in China (Guangdong, Guangxi) and Vietnam (Hòa Bình). It may possibly also occur in Laos.[2]

The preferred natural habitats of Elaphe moellendorffi are limestone caves and rocky areas of shrubland and forest, at elevations of 30–300 m (98–984 ft).[1]

Description

Elaphe moellendorffi is a large snake. Adults may attain a total length (including tail) of 1.66 m (5.4 ft).[4]

A subadult Elaphe moellendorffi

Behavior

Elaphe moellendorffi is terrestrial[1] and partly arboreal.[2]

Diet

Elaphe moellendorffi preys upon frogs, lizards, rodents, bats, and birds.[1]

Reproduction

Elaphe moellendorffi is oviparous.[2] Clutch size is seven to ten eggs.[1]

References

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