Monk snake
The monk snake (Suta monachus), also known commonly as the hooded snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to central and western Australia.[1]
| Monk snake | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Suta |
| Species: | S. monachus |
| Binomial name | |
| Suta monachus (Storr, 1964) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Geographic range
Within Australia, S. monachus is found in the states and territories of Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia.[1]
Description
The average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of adults of S. monachus is 27 cm (11 in), and the length of the tail is about 13% SVL. The maximum recorded SVL is 46 centimetres (18 in). The top of the head is solid glossy black, without any pale markings. On average, this black "hood" extends on the nape to the fourth vertebral scale, but may extend only to the first or as far as the sixth. The body and tail are brick red dorsally, and white ventrally. The upper labials are white also. There is only one posterior temporal scale.[3]
Reproduction
S. monachus is viviparous.[2]
Venom
Although S. monachus is venomous, its bite is considered to be of lesser medical significance. A life-threatening envenomation is unlikely, but a debilitating injury is possible.[4]
References
- Ellis R, Shea G (2017). "Parasuta monachus ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T102719240A102719791. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T102719240A102719791.en. Downloaded on 23 January 2020.
- Species Suta monachus at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
- Storr GM (1981). "The Denisonia gouldii species-group (Serpentes, Elapidae) in Western Australia". Records of the Western Australian Museum 8 (4): 501–515. (Denisonia monachus, pp. 506–508, Figure 3).
- Bush, Brian; Maryan, Brad (2006). Snakes and Snake-like Reptiles of Southern Western Australia: A guide to their identification and medical significance for outdoor workers: An important resource for every regional medical professional. Stoneville, Perth, Western Australia: Snakes Harmful & Harmless. 40 pp. ("Monk Snake", p. 24, Figure 41).
Further reading
- Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN 978-0643100350.
- Storr GM (1964). "Denisonia monachus, a new elapid snake from Western Australia". Western Australian Naturalist 9: 89–90.
- Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN 978-1921517280.