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Montaspis gilvomaculata (Cream-spotted mountain snake)
Roomgevlekte bergslang [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
Identification
The Cream-spotted mountain snake can be identified by its
unique high altitude habitat, the cream spots on the upper lip together with
cream coloured markings on the throat, large eyes and strictly diurnal lifestyle.
It grows to an average length of 30 cm and a maximum length of 50 cm.
Distribution and habitat
Restricted to Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal where it
inhabits high altitude rivers and streams in the Drakensberg.
Food
Eats
frogs.
Predators, parasites and disease
Unknown.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying).
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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