Pilbara death adder
Species of snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pilbara death adder (Acanthophis wellsi), also known commonly as Wells' death adder, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is one of the eight members of the genus Acanthophis, a genus which is found throughout northwestern and southwestern Australia and some parts of southern Papua New Guinea.[2] The species Acanthophis wellsi is endemic to Western Australia.
| Pilbara death adder | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Acanthophis |
| Species: | A. wellsi |
| Binomial name | |
| Acanthophis wellsi Hoser, 1998 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Taxonomy
The Pilbara death adder was described by Raymond Hoser in 1998.[3] The specific name, wellsi, is in honor of Australian herpetologist Richard Walter Wells.[4]
Description
Distribution and habitat
Acanthophis wellsi is found in the Hamersley Range and the Chichester Range in the Pilbara region in northern Western Australia.[2]
Habitat
Reproduction
Acanthophis wellsi is ovoviviparous.[2]