Amplorhinus
Amplorhinus multimaculatus, commonly known as the many-spotted snake or the Cape reed snake, is a species of mildly venomous snake in the family Pseudoxyrhophiidae.[2] The species, which is native to southern Africa, is monotypic (only one species in the genus) in the genus Amplorhinus.
| Amplorhinus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Pseudoxyrhophiidae |
| Subfamily: | Amplorhininae |
| Genus: | Amplorhinus A. Smith, 1847 |
| Species: | A. multimaculatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Amplorhinus multimaculatus A. Smith, 1847 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Geographic range
A. multimaculatus is found in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.[1][2]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of A. multimaculatus are freshwater wetlands, grassland, shrubland, and forest.[1]
Description
A small species, A. multimaculatus may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 45 cm (18 in).[3]
Reproduction
A. multimaculatus is viviparous.[2] Usually four to eight young are born in late summer. Each neonate measures 12.5–20 cm (4.9–7.9 in) in total length (including tail).[3]
Venom
If a human is bitten by A. multimaculatus, the venom may cause localized swelling, inflammation, and pain. The venom is delivered by enlarged grooved teeth at the rear of the mouth.[3]
References
- Maritz, B.; Marais, J. (2018). "Amplorhinus multimaculatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T110133584A115672711. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T110133584A115672711.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- Amplorhinus multimaculatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 16 October 2018.
- Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa Third Revised Edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Amplorhinus multimaculatus, pp. 82–83 + Plate 18).
Further reading
- Boulenger GA (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the Colubridæ (Opisthoglyphæ and Proteroglyphæ) ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I–XXV. (Amplorhinus multimaculatus, p. 125).
- Smith A (1847). Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected during an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa:" Together with a Summary of African Zoology, and an Inquiry into the Geographical Ranges of Species in that Quarter of the Globe. London: Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury. (Smith, Elder and Co., printers). Plates + unnumbered pages of text. (Amplorhinus multimaculatus, new species, Plate LVII).