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Meizodon semiornatus (Semiornate snake)
Suidelike bosslang; Halfgevlekte slang [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:
Colubrinae
Identification
The Semiornate snake can be identified by its flat head,
round pupils, irregular black bars and strictly diurnal lifestyle. It grows to
an average length of 60 cm and a maximum length of 80 cm.
Distribution and habitat
Found in north east KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, central
Mozambique and north west Zimbabwe. Its favoured habitat is lowland forest where
it is associated with rotting vegetation but may also be found high up trees.
Food
Eats lizards (particularly skinks and day geckos),
frogs
and occasionally small
rodents.
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by other snakes.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg laying), lays between 2 and 3 eggs in
summer.
Longevity
Unknown.
Medical importance
None.
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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