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Chilorhinophis gerardi (Gerard's black and yellow
burrowing snake)
Gerard se swart en geel grondslangetjie [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
Identification
Gerard's black and yellow burrowing snake can be identified
by its small slender body, the round pupils of its eyes, the 3 black stripes on
a yellow background that are distinctive and it strictly nocturnal lifestyle. It
grows to an average length of 40 cm and a maximum length of 50 cm.
Distribution and habitat
Restricted to northern Zimbabwe. Its favoured
habitat is moist savanna.
Food
Eats other small snakes (including its own species),
amphisbaenids and other burrowing reptiles.
Predators, parasites and disease
Unknown.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying), lays up to six eggs in summer.
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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