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Homoroselaps dorsalis (Striped harlequin snake)
Gestreepte kousbandjie [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: Elapidae > Genus:
Homoroselaps
Identification
The Striped Harlequin snake can be identified by its
distinctive yellow stripe which extends down the length of its body, its black
colouration and its small size. This snake grows to an average length of 20 cm
but can grow to up to 32 cm in length.
Distribution and habitat
This Harlequin snake species in found in the following
provinces; Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. The favoured habitats of
this snake are moist savanna and grasslands.
Food
Feeds exclusively on worm snakes.
Predators, parasites and disease
Fed on by other snakes.
Reproduction
Oviparous (lays eggs), lays between 2 and 4 eggs in summer.
Longevity
The average lifespan of this snake is likely to be 10
years.
Medical importance
The venom of this snake has not been studied and it is
unlikely to have any effect on man, no antivenom is required.
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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