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Lycodonomorphus obscuriventris (Floodplain water snake)
Vloedvlaktewaterslang [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: Colubridae > Subfamily:
Boodontinae > Genus:
Lycodonomorphus
Identification
The Flood plain water snake can be identified by its grey
or black colouration, a light coloured stripe on the upper lip and a small eye
with an elliptical pupil. It grows to an average length of 55 cm and a maximum
length of 66 cm.
Distribution and habitat
Te distribution of this snake is restricted to the South
Africa/Mozambique border and central Mozambique. Their preferred habitat
includes rivers and vleis in moist savanna and lowland forest
Food
Eats
frogs
(particularly puddle frogs and bullfrogs).
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by
birds of
prey (e.g.
snake eagles) and other snakes.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying), lays a small number of eggs in
summer.
Longevity
Likely to have an average lifespan of
10 years.
Medical importance
Non-venomous and not dangerous to man and not likely to
bite.
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 Publishers, Cape Town.
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