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Philothamnus battersbyi

Species of snake From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Philothamnus battersbyi, also known commonly as Battersby's green snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to northeastern Africa.

Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Suborder:Serpentes
Quick facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
Philothamnus battersbyi
adult
juvenile
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Philothamnus
Species:
P. battersbyi
Binomial name
Philothamnus battersbyi
Synonyms[2]
  • Philothamnus irregularis battersbyi
    Loveridge, 1951
  • Philothamnus battersbyi
    — Rasmussen, 1981
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Etymology

The specific name, battersbyi, is in honor of British herpetologist James Clarence Battersby (1901–1993).[3]

Geographic range

P. battersbyi is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.[2]

Habitat

P. battersbyi is found in a variety of natural habitats close to water, including forest, savanna, grassland, and freshwater wetlands, at altitudes from sea level to 2,600 m (8,500 ft).[1] It has also been found in polluted streams in major cities.[1]

Description

The holotype of P. battersbyi, an adult female, has a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 76.2 cm (30.0 in) and a tail length of 28.3 centimetres (11.1 in).[4]

Behavior

P. battersbyi is arboreal[1][2] and diurnal.[1]

Diet

P. battersbyi preys upon amphibians, which may include caecilians, frogs, and toads.[1]

Reproduction

P. battersbyi is oviparous.[2] Clutch size is 3–11 eggs. Some communal nesting has been observed, with as many as 40 adult females laying over 100 eggs together in one nest.[1]

References

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