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Amblyodipsas microphthalma

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Amblyodipsas microphthalma
Eastern purple-glossed snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Atractaspididae
Genus: Amblyodipsas
Species:
A. microphthalma
Binomial name
Amblyodipsas microphthalma
(Bianconi, 1852)
Synonyms[2]
  • Calamaria micropthalma Bianconi, 1852
  • Amblyodipsas micropthalmaJan, 1865

Amblyodipsas microphthalma, also known as the eastern purple-glossed snake or white-lipped snake, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the Atractaspididae family.[1][2][3][4]

Geographic range

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It is found in southern Mozambique and the northeastern Republic of South Africa.[1][2]

Description

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Dorsally dark brown. Ventrally white, including chin and tail, with a dark brown stripe down the middle of the belly. The white of the outer edges of the ventrals extends onto the adjacent first two rows of dorsal scales on each side of the body.

Rostral broader than long, portion visible from above ⅔ its distance from the frontal. Frontal large, nearly twice as long as broad, acutely pointed behind, much longer than its distance from the end of the snout. Only four upper labials, second and third entering the eye, fourth largest and in contact with the parietal.

Dorsal scales smooth, without pits, arranged in 15 rows. Ventrals 142; anal plate divided; subcaudals 19, divided.

Total length 30 cm (11+34 in); tail 24 mm (1 in).[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Broadley, D.G. (2010). "Amblyodipsas microphthalma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T176271A7208001. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T176271A7208001.en. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Amblyodipsas microphthalma at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 25 May 2021.
  3. ^ Branch, Bill. A Photographic Guide to Snakes, Other Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa. Cape Town: Struik, 2005. 67.
  4. ^ ."Amblyodipsas". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  5. ^ Boulenger, G.A. 1896. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History), Volume III. London. p. 244.
  • Bianconi, G.G. 1852. Specimina zoologica mosambicana. p. 94, plate xii, figure 1.
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