Philothamnus semivariegatus: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Species of snake}} |
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{{Taxobox |
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{{speciesbox |
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| image = |
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| image = Philothamnus semivariegatus 338257777.jpg |
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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| image_caption = |
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] |
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| image2 = Philothamnus semivariegatus03.jpg |
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| classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]] |
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| image2_caption = In South Africa.<br>Adult (top), hatchlings (bottom) |
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| ordo = [[Squamata]] |
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| status = LC |
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| subordo = [[Snake|Serpentes]] |
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| status_system = IUCN3.1 |
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| familia = [[Colubridae]] |
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| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=Branch, W.R. |author2=Rödel, M.-O. |author3=Luiselli, L. |author4=Segniagbeto, G. |author5=Howell, K. |author6=Msuya, C.A. |author7=Ngalason, W. |author8=Spawls, S. |year=2021 |title=''Philothamnus semivariegatus'' |volume=2021 |page=e.T199576A2604190 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T199576A2604190.en |access-date=25 June 2023}}</ref> |
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| genus = |
| genus = Philothamnus |
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| species = '''''P. semivariegatus''''' |
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| species = semivariegatus |
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| authority = ([[Andrew Smith (zoologist)|A. Smith]], 1840) |
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| synonyms = *''Dendrophis (Philothamnus) semivariegata'' <small>A. Smith, 1840</small> |
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*''Ahætulla semivariegata'' <br><small>— [[Albert Günther|Günther]], 1863</small> |
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*''Philothamnus semivariegatus'' <br><small>— [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1894</small><ref>[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger GA]]. 1894. ''Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ.'' London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xi + 382 pp. + Plates I- XX. (''Philothamnus semivariegatus'', pp. 99-100).</ref> |
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}} |
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'''''Philothamnus semivariegatus''''', commonly known as the '''spotted bush snake''' is a [[species]] of non-[[venomous]] [[Colubridae|colubrid]] snake, [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Africa]]. |
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The '''Spotted Bush Snake''' ('''''Philothamnus semivariegatus''''') is a '''non-[[venomous]]''' snake in the family '''[[Colubridae]]''', distributed from [[South Africa]] to [[Sudan]] and [[Guinea]]. |
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==Geographic range== |
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The colour is bright green with black speckles. It is mostly found in trees in bush and forest areas, where it hunts lizards and Treefrogs. |
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''P. semivariegatus'' is distributed from [[South Africa]] northward to [[Sudan]], Uganda and from [[Guinea]] eastward to [[Tanzania]] and sited at [[Nigeria]].<ref>The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.</ref> |
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==Description== |
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The colour is bright green with black speckles. Average snout to vent length (SVL) is {{convert|60|-|90|cm|in|abbr=on}}. |
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[[File:Tropical House Gecko imported from iNaturalist photo 19243914 on 3 December 2024.jpg|left|thumb|Eating a [[tropical house gecko]].]] |
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==Biology== |
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Spotted bush snakes are mostly found in trees in bush and forest areas, where they hunt [[lizard]]s and [[treefrog]]s. They are excellent climbers and swimmers, have very good eyesight, and are highly alert snakes. They are not territorial, and will roam great distances in search for food. Spotted bush snakes are very common and completely harmless. They are well camouflaged, naturally very nervous, and quick to escape from any potential threat. As such, suburban sightings are rare. |
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==In captivity== |
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They can be very difficult to keep in captivity, being very nervous and reluctant to feed on anything but sympatric gecko species, but they are occasionally kept and bred successfully. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/snakes/894788-notes-captive-care-african-bush.html|title = Notes on the captive care of African Bush Snakes| date=May 2024 }}</ref> |
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==Reproduction== |
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Females can lay between 3 and 12 elongate eggs every summer, and each hatchling is about {{convert|25|cm|in|abbr=on}} in total length (including tail). |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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* Branch, |
* [[:fr:William Roy Branch|Branch, Bill]]. 1988. ''Field Guide to the Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa''. {{ISBN|0-86977-641-X}}. |
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==Further reading== |
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*Branch, Bill. 2004. ''Field Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa''. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. {{ISBN|0-88359-042-5}}. (''Philothamnus semivariegatus'', pp. 93–94 + Plates 30, 99). |
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*[[Andrew Smith (zoologist)|Smith, Andrew]]. 1840. ''Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa ...'' London: Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury. (Smith, Elder and Co., printers). (''Dendrophis semivariegata'', Plates LIX, LX, LXIV, Figure 1). |
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q2714029}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Philothamnus]] |
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[[Category:Reptiles of Africa]] |
[[Category:Reptiles of Africa]] |
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[[Category:Reptiles described in 1840]] |
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[[Category:Taxa named by Andrew Smith (zoologist)]] |
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Latest revision as of 21:22, 4 December 2024
| Philothamnus semivariegatus | |
|---|---|
| |
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| In South Africa. Adult (top), hatchlings (bottom) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Philothamnus |
| Species: | P. semivariegatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Philothamnus semivariegatus (A. Smith, 1840)
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| Synonyms | |
Philothamnus semivariegatus, commonly known as the spotted bush snake is a species of non-venomous colubrid snake, endemic to Africa.
Geographic range
[edit]P. semivariegatus is distributed from South Africa northward to Sudan, Uganda and from Guinea eastward to Tanzania and sited at Nigeria.[3]
Description
[edit]The colour is bright green with black speckles. Average snout to vent length (SVL) is 60–90 cm (24–35 in).
Biology
[edit]Spotted bush snakes are mostly found in trees in bush and forest areas, where they hunt lizards and treefrogs. They are excellent climbers and swimmers, have very good eyesight, and are highly alert snakes. They are not territorial, and will roam great distances in search for food. Spotted bush snakes are very common and completely harmless. They are well camouflaged, naturally very nervous, and quick to escape from any potential threat. As such, suburban sightings are rare.
In captivity
[edit]They can be very difficult to keep in captivity, being very nervous and reluctant to feed on anything but sympatric gecko species, but they are occasionally kept and bred successfully. [4]
Reproduction
[edit]Females can lay between 3 and 12 elongate eggs every summer, and each hatchling is about 25 cm (9.8 in) in total length (including tail).
References
[edit]- ^ Branch, W.R.; Rödel, M.-O.; Luiselli, L.; Segniagbeto, G.; Howell, K.; Msuya, C.A.; Ngalason, W.; Spawls, S. (2021). "Philothamnus semivariegatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T199576A2604190. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T199576A2604190.en. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ Boulenger GA. 1894. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xi + 382 pp. + Plates I- XX. (Philothamnus semivariegatus, pp. 99-100).
- ^ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ "Notes on the captive care of African Bush Snakes". May 2024.
- Branch, Bill. 1988. Field Guide to the Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. ISBN 0-86977-641-X.
Further reading
[edit]- Branch, Bill. 2004. Field Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Philothamnus semivariegatus, pp. 93–94 + Plates 30, 99).
- Smith, Andrew. 1840. Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa ... London: Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury. (Smith, Elder and Co., printers). (Dendrophis semivariegata, Plates LIX, LX, LXIV, Figure 1).