Dipsadoboa aulica

Dipsadoboa aulica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Suborder:Serpentes
Family:Colubridae
Genus:Dipsadoboa
Species: D. aulica
Binomial name
Dipsadoboa aulica
(Günther, 1864)
Synonyms[1]
  • Chamaetortus aulicus
    Günther, 1864
  • Dipsadoboa aulica
    — Rasmussen, 1989

Dipsadoboa aulica, commonly known as the marbled tree snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa.

Geographic range

D. aulica is found in Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.[1]

Description

D. aulica is a slender-bodied snake. Males may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 66 cm (26 in). Females are slightly smaller, growing to 63 cm (25 in) SVL. The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody.[2]

Behavior

D. aulicus, is nocturnal and arboreal, hiding during the day in tree cavities or under bark.[2]

Diet

D. aulica preys primarily upon tree frogs and geckos, but will also eat toads, skinks, and small rodents.[2]

Reproduction

D. aulica, like all species in the genus Dipsadoboa, is oviparous. In midsummer sexually mature females lay 7-8 eggs. The eggs measure on average 25.5 x 11.5 mm (about 1 x 0.5 inch). Hatchlings measure on average 18 cm (about 7 inches) in total length (including tail).[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Species Dipsadoboa aulica at The Reptile Database
  2. 1 2 3 4 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. (Dipsadoboa aulica, p. 98 + Plate 31).

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. (Chamætortus aulicus, pp. 98–99).
  • Günther A (1864). "Report on a Collection of Reptiles and Fishes made by Dr. Kirk in the Zambesi and Nyassa Regions". Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1864: 303-314. (Chamætortus aulicus, new species, p. 310 + Plate XXVI, figure 2).


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