Homalopsis
Genus of snakes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Homalopsis is a genus of snakes of the family Homalopsidae.[1][2][3] The genus is restricted to South East Asia and includes five currently recognized species.[1][4] Like all members of the family Homalopsidae, Homalopsis are rear-fanged and mildly venomous, though considered harmless to humans.[5]
| Homalopsis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Homalopsis buccata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Clade: | Colubroides |
| Family: | Homalopsidae |
| Genus: | Homalopsis Kuhl & Hasselt, 1822 |
| Species | |
|
5 species (see text) | |
Habitat
Homalopsis are a freshwater aquatic species that are found in a wide range of habitats including ponds, rivers, flowing streams, swamps, marshes and other wetlands. Human disturbance and activity does not seem to hinder this species as much as others and can be actively found in disturbed habitat such as man-made drainage ditches and irrigated agriculture fields.[6]
Behavior
This species is nocturnal and can be found in muddy bank holes or burrows during the day. It feeds primarily on fish but may also eat anurans and possibly crustaceans.[6]
Reproduction
Species
There are five species:[1]
- Homalopsis buccata (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Homalopsis hardwickii Gray, 1842
- Homalopsis mereljcoxi Murphy, Voris, Murthy, Traub & Cumberbatch, 2012
- Homalopsis nigroventralis Deuve, 1970
- Homalopsis semizonata Blyth, 1855