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Pythondipsas carinata (Western keeled snake)
Westelike gekielde 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:
Boodontinae
Identification
The Western keeled snake can be identified by its flat
head, large eyes (with vertical pupils) and a strictly nocturnal lifestyle. It
grows to an average length of 50 cm and a maximum length of 80 cm.
Distribution and habitat
This snake species is restricted to western Namibia where
it inhabits rocky desert areas,
Food
Eats lizards (particularly geckos and skinks) and
rodents.
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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