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Amblyodipsas microphthalma (Eastern purple glossed
snake,
White lipped snake)
Oostelike persglansslang; Oostelike purpergrondslang
[Afrikaans]
Life >
Eukaryotes
>
Opisthokonta >
Metazoa
(animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia >
Chordata >
Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates) > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) >
Teleostomi (teleost fish) > Osteichthyes (bony fish) > Class:
Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish) > Stegocephalia (terrestrial vertebrates) >
Tetrapoda
(four-legged vertebrates) > Reptiliomorpha > Amniota >
Reptilia (reptiles) >
Romeriida > Diapsida > Lepidosauromorpha > Lepidosauria >
Squamata > Serpentes
(snakes) > Family: Atractaspididae > Genus:
Amblyodipsas
Identification
The Eastern Purple-glossed snake can be identified by its
short thick body, a blunt head, a purple colouration (with a white or yellow
coloured upper lip and throat area) small eyes and habit of burrowing beneath the
surface. It grows to an average length of 30 cm and a maximum length of 33 cm.
Distribution and habitat
Found in north eastern KwaZulu-Natal and southern
Mozambique. It most commonly occurs in lowland forest and moist savanna.
Food
Eats amphisbaenids and legless skinks.
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by other snakes.
Reproduction
Uncertain, but thought to be oviparous (egg-laying).
Longevity
Medical importance
Although venomous is not thought to be dangerous to man.
Links
References
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Broadley, D.G. 1983. FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern
Africa. Delta Books, Johannesburg.
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Marais, J. 2004. A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa.
Struik Publishing, Cape Town.
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