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Mehelya vernayi (Angola file snake, Vernay's file snake)
Angola-vylslang [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: Mehelya
Identification
The Angola file snake can be identified by its triangular
shaped body, its keeled (rough) scales, its red brown colouration, its speckled
patterning and its entirely nocturnal lifestyle. It grows to an average length
of 1 meter and a maximum length of 1.3 meters.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution of this snake is restricted to central and
northwest Namibia. In these areas its preferred habitat is the rocky regions of
the Namib desert and karoo scrub.
Food
Eats lizards and
toads.
Predators, parasites and disease
Eaten by other snakes
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying), lays a small number of eggs in
summer.
Longevity
Likely to be between 15 and
20 years.
Medical importance
Non-venomous and not dangerous to man.
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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