Psammophylax multisquamis
| Psammophylax multisquamis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Psammophiidae |
| Genus: | Psammophylax |
| Species: | P. multisquamis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Psammophylax multisquamis (Loveridge, 1932)
| |
Psammophylax multisquamis is a species of snake belonging to the family Psammophiidae. It is commonly known as the Kenyan striped staapsteker and is found in various parts of eastern Africa, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Rwanda.[1] It typically resides in sandy, rocky, and grassy terrains with plenty of places to hide.[1]
Nomenclature
[edit]The species was first described as Trimerorhinus tritaeniatus multisquamis by Arthur Loveridge in 1932[2] and transferred to Psammophylax by Laurent in 1956.[3]
The genus name, Psammophylax, is derived from Greek, meaning "sand guard", while the species name, multisquamis, translates to "many scales."
Venom
[edit]The Kenyan striped skaapsteker possesses a very mild venom that poses little threat to humans. Bites from this species are rare and typically result in minimal symptoms, such as mild swelling.[4]
Description
[edit]The Kenyan striped skaapsteker is a slender snake that can grow up to 1.4 meters in length.[5] Its dark brown coloration typically includes darker longitudinal stripes running along its body, which aid in camouflage within its natural habitat.[5]
Behavior
[edit]The Kenyan striped skaapsteker is a fast moving snake that will avoid people and hide if provoked.[6] It does not usually bite, even as a last resort.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Keates, C; Conradie, W; Greenbaum, E; Edwards, S (2019). "A snake in the grass: Genetic structuring of the widespread African grass snake (Psammophylax Fitzinger 1843), with the description of a new genus and a new species". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 57 (4): 1039–1066. doi:10.1111/jzs.12337.
- ^ Loveridge, A. (1932). "New opisthoglyphous snakes of the genera Crotaphopeltis and Trimerorhinus from Angola and Kenya Colony". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 45: 83–86.
- ^ Laurent, R.F. (1956). "Contribution à l'herpetologie de la région des Grandes Lacs de l'Afrique centrale". Annales du Musée du Congo belge. Sciences Zoologiques. 48: 1–390.
- ^ Kuch, Ulrich; and Mebs, Dietrich (2002-01-01). "Envenomations by Colubrid Snakes in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East". Journal of Toxicology: Toxin Reviews. 21 (1–2): 159–179. doi:10.1081/TXR-120004745. ISSN 0731-3837.
- ^ a b Schmidt, K.P.; Noble, G.K. (1998). Contributions to the Herpetology of the Belgian Congo. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.
- ^ a b "Striped Skaapsteker - ASI". African Snakebite Institute. Retrieved 2025-04-15.