|
Duberria lutrix (Common slug-eater, South African slug-eater)
Gewone slakvreter, Tabakrolletjie [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:
Duberria
Identification
The Common slug-eater may be identified by a brown line
down its back, its powerful scent glands (which are used in self-defence), its
habit of rolling into a spiral when threatened and its preference for damp
environments. It grows to an average length of 35 cm but can reach more than 40
cm in length.
Distribution and habitat
Found all along South Africa's East Coast and
throughout the Eastern half of the interior. Its preferred habitat is grassland
but it occurs in any suitable damp area.
Food
Eats
slugs and
snails.
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by
birds of
prey (e.g.
snake eagles) and other snakes.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young), giving birth to
between 6 and 22 offspring in late 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
-
Broadley, D.G. 1983. FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern
Africa. Delta Books, Johannesburg.
-
Marais, J. 2004. A Complete Guide to Snakes of
Southern Africa. Struik Publishing, Cape Town.
|
