Central African egg-eating snake: Difference between revisions

Central African egg-eating snake
	Near Adum Banso, Ghana
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Dasypeltis
Species:	D. fasciata
Binomial name
	Dasypeltis fasciata; A. Smith, 1849
Synonyms
	Dasypeltis fasciatus ; A. Smith, 1849; Dasypeltis fasciata ; — Loveridge, 1957;

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Dasypeltis fasciata, commonly known as the Central African egg-eating snake or the western forest eggeater, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa. It is one of 13 species in the genus Dasypeltis, and is occasionally kept in captivity as an exotic pet along with other members of its genus, particularly D. scabra and D. medici.^[3]

Geographic range[edit]

D. fasciata is found in western and central Africa including the Central African Republic, Gambia, Nigeria, and Uganda.^[1]

Habitat[edit]

The preferred habitat of D. fasciata is lowland forest at altitudes of approximately 1,000–1,150 m (3,280–3,770 ft).^[2]

Reproduction[edit]

D. fasciata is oviparous.^[2]

Anatomy and behaviour[edit]

Owing to their nature as obligate ovivores, all members of the genus Dasypeltis are arboreal, preferring to remain in the trees where they can locate bird-nests, and tend to be nocturnal as this is when the diurnal bird species they prey upon are asleep and most likely to leave their eggs unguarded. Their diet also affects their biology, and has resulted in an evolutionary adaptation that has removed their teeth and substantially increased the capacity of their necks. This facilitates the consumption of whole eggs. Once inside the neck, three bony projections from the cervical vertebrae are extended and the egg is crushed against them, puncturing and cracking it. The eggs are then squeezed to extract the liquids inside, and the shell is regurgitated.^[4] This adaptation allows them to exploit a food source that is almost completely uncontested in their natural habitat. During feeding, they have an extensible, highly flattened trachea that can push around the egg and allow them to continue breathing whilst swallowing an egg several times wider than their own body.^[5]

In captivity[edit]

In captivity, it is recommended that D. fasciata be provided with extensive climbing materials in order to provide environmental enrichment. As is typical in snakes, males tend to be smaller than females. Baby egg-eating snakes and adult males are generally able to eat finch eggs, although some males can grow large enough to eat button quail eggs. Female adults are often large enough to eat full size quail eggs or even chicken eggs. However, in the wild they will only eat eggs that are at a very early stage of development, and cannot digest a foetal bird chick.^[4]

Defence[edit]

African egg-eating snakes lack teeth, and as such they often have difficulty with defending themselves. This is necessary for their diet, as teeth would reduce the capacity of their necks; however, it presents issues with predation. It is believed that their primary defence stems from Batesian mimicry, as most species in the genus Dasypeltis strongly resemble other, venomous snake species such as black mambas or vipers, providing them with a deterrent against predators.^[5] However, this lack of teeth also makes it almost impossible for the snake to harm other specimens in captivity, making it one of the few species of snakes that can be housed communally.^[4]

References[edit]

^ ^a ^b Luiselli, L.; Jallow, M.; Segniagbeto, G.; Rödel, M.-O.; Spawls, S. (2021). "Dasypeltis fasciata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T176779A17330030. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T176779A17330030.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Species Dasypeltis fasciata at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
^ "Egg-eating Snakes - Natural History and Care in Captivity". That Reptile Blog. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
^ ^a ^b ^c Snake Discovery (2017-04-25), How to Care for Egg-Eating Snakes!, retrieved 2018-09-19
^ ^a ^b "Egg-eating snakes". Why Evolution Is True. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2018-09-19.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Species of snake}}
-{{speciesbox
+{{Speciesbox
-| image =
+| image = Dasypeltis fasciata.jpg
-| image_caption =
+| image_caption = Near Adum Banso, Ghana
 | status = LC
 | status_system = IUCN3.1
+| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Luiselli, L. |author2=Jallow, M. |author3=Segniagbeto, G. |author4=Rödel, M.-O. |author5=Spawls, S. |date=2021 |title=''Dasypeltis fasciata'' |volume=2021 |page=e.T176779A17330030 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T176779A17330030.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
-| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{cite journal | title = ''Dasypeltis fasciata'' | journal = [[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] | volume= 2010 | publisher = [[IUCN]] | year = 2009 | url = http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/176779/0 | accessdate = 18 December 2016}}</ref>
 | genus = Dasypeltis
-| species            = fasciata
+| species = fasciata
-| authority = [[Andrew Smith (zoologist)|Smith]], 1849
+| authority = [[Andrew Smith (zoologist)|A. Smith]], 1849
+| synonyms =
+* ''Dasypeltis fasciatus'' <br>{{small|A. Smith, 1849}}
+*''Dasypeltis fasciata'' <br>{{small|— [[Arthur Loveridge|Loveridge]], 1957}}
+| synonyms_ref = <ref name=RDB>{{EMBL species|genus=Dasypeltis|species=fasciata}}. www.reptile-database.org.</ref>
 }}
-'''''Dasypeltis fasciata''''', commonly known as the '''Central African egg-eating snake''', is a species of snake of the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Colubridae]]. It is one of 13 species in the genus ''[[Dasypeltis|Dasypelti]]<nowiki/>s'', and is occasionally kept in captivity as an [[Herpetoculture|exotic pet]] along with other members of its genus, particularly ''[[Dasypeltis scabra|D. scabra]]'' and ''[[Dasypeltis medici|D. medici]]''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/2010/10/06/egg-eating-snakes-natural-history-and-care-in-captivity/|title=Egg-eating Snakes - Natural History and Care in Captivity|date=2010-10-06|work=That Reptile Blog|access-date=2018-09-19|language=en-US}}</ref>.
+'''''Dasypeltis fasciata''''', [[Common name|commonly]] known as the '''Central African egg-eating snake''' or the '''western forest eggeater''', is a [[species]] of snake in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Colubridae]]. The species is [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[Africa]]. It is one of 13 species in the [[genus]] ''[[Dasypeltis]]'', and is occasionally kept in captivity as an [[Herpetoculture|exotic pet]] along with other members of its genus, particularly ''[[Dasypeltis scabra|D. scabra]]'' and ''[[Dasypeltis medici|D. medici]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/2010/10/06/egg-eating-snakes-natural-history-and-care-in-captivity/|title=Egg-eating Snakes - Natural History and Care in Captivity|date=2010-10-06|work=That Reptile Blog|access-date=2018-09-19|language=en-US}}</ref>
 ==Geographic range==
-The snake is found in Central Africa, primarily in western and central Africa. Notable countries include Gambia, Uganda, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/176779/0|title=Dasypeltis fasciata: Rödel M.-O. & Spawls, S.|date=2009-06-30|website=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species|doi=10.2305/iucn.uk.2010-4.rlts.t176779a7302853.en|access-date=2018-09-19}}</ref>.
+''D. fasciata'' is found in western and central Africa including the Central African Republic, Gambia, Nigeria, and Uganda.<ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021" />
+==Habitat==
-== Anatomy and Behaviour ==
+The preferred [[habitat]] of ''D. fasciata'' is lowland forest at altitudes of approximately {{convert|1,000|-|1,150|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name=RDB/>
-Owing to their nature as obligate [[Egg predation|ovivores]], all members of the ''Dasypeltis'' genus are arboreal, preferring to remain in the trees where they can locate bird-nests, and tend to be nocturnal as this is when the diurnal bird species they prey upon are asleep and most likely to leave their eggs unguarded. Their diet also affects their biology, and has resulted in an evolutionary adaptation that has removed their teeth and substantially increased the capacity of their necks. This facilitates the consumption of whole eggs. Once inside the neck, three bony projections from the cervical vertebrae are extended and the egg is crushed against them, puncturing and cracking it. The eggs are then squeezed to extract the liquids inside, and the shell is regurgitated<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last=Snake Discovery|title=How to Care for Egg-Eating Snakes!|date=2017-04-25|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09iL57T3Mtw|access-date=2018-09-19}}</ref>. This adaptation allows them to exploit a food source that is almost completely uncontested in their natural habitat. During feeding, they have an extensible, highly flattened trachea that can push around the egg and allow them to continue breathing whilst swallowing an egg several times wider than their own body<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2010/10/20/egg-eating-snakes/|title=Egg-eating snakes|date=2010-10-20|work=Why Evolution Is True|access-date=2018-09-19|language=en-US}}</ref>.
+==Reproduction==
-In captivity, it is recommended that they are provided with extensive climbing materials in order to provide environmental enrichment. As is typical in snakes, males tend to be smaller than females. Baby egg-eating snakes and adult males are generally able to eat finch eggs, although some males can grow large enough to eat button quail eggs. Female adults are often large enough to eat full size quail eggs or even chicken eggs. However, in the wild they will only eat eggs that are at a very early stage of development, and cannot digest a foetal bird chick.<ref name=":0" />.
+''D. fasciata'' is [[Oviparity|oviparous]].<ref name=RDB/>
+==Anatomy and behaviour==
-African egg-eating snakes lack teeth, and as such they often have difficulty with defending themselves. This is necessary for their diet, as teeth would reduce the capacity of their necks, however presents issues with predation. It is believed that their primary defence stems from [[Batesian mimicry]], as most species in the ''Dasypeltis'' genus strongly resemble other, venomous snake species such as [[Black mamba|black mambas]] or vipers, providing them with a deterrent against predators<ref name=":1" />. However, this lack of teeth also makes it almost impossible for the snake to harm other specimens in captivity, making it one of the few species of snakes that can be housed communally<ref name=":0" />.
+Owing to their nature as obligate [[Egg predation|ovivores]], all members of the genus ''Dasypeltis'' are arboreal, preferring to remain in the trees where they can locate bird-nests, and tend to be nocturnal as this is when the diurnal bird species they prey upon are asleep and most likely to leave their eggs unguarded. Their diet also affects their biology, and has resulted in an evolutionary adaptation that has removed their teeth and substantially increased the capacity of their necks. This facilitates the consumption of whole eggs. Once inside the neck, three bony projections from the cervical vertebrae are extended and the egg is crushed against them, puncturing and cracking it. The eggs are then squeezed to extract the liquids inside, and the shell is regurgitated.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last=Snake Discovery|title=How to Care for Egg-Eating Snakes!|date=2017-04-25|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09iL57T3Mtw|access-date=2018-09-19}}</ref> This adaptation allows them to exploit a food source that is almost completely uncontested in their natural habitat. During feeding, they have an extensible, highly flattened trachea that can push around the egg and allow them to continue breathing whilst swallowing an egg several times wider than their own body.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2010/10/20/egg-eating-snakes/|title=Egg-eating snakes|date=2010-10-20|work=Why Evolution Is True|access-date=2018-09-19|language=en-US}}</ref>
-== See Also ==
+==In captivity==
+In captivity, it is recommended that ''D. fasciata'' be provided with extensive climbing materials in order to provide environmental enrichment. As is typical in snakes, males tend to be smaller than females. Baby egg-eating snakes and adult males are generally able to eat finch eggs, although some males can grow large enough to eat button quail eggs. Female adults are often large enough to eat full size quail eggs or even chicken eggs. However, in the wild they will only eat eggs that are at a very early stage of development, and cannot digest a foetal bird chick.<ref name=":0" />
+==Defence==
-* [[Garter snake|Garter Snakes]]
+African egg-eating snakes lack teeth, and as such they often have difficulty with defending themselves. This is necessary for their diet, as teeth would reduce the capacity of their necks; however, it presents issues with predation. It is believed that their primary defence stems from [[Batesian mimicry]], as most species in the genus ''Dasypeltis'' strongly resemble other, venomous snake species such as [[black mamba]]s or vipers, providing them with a deterrent against predators.<ref name=":1" /> However, this lack of teeth also makes it almost impossible for the snake to harm other specimens in captivity, making it one of the few species of snakes that can be housed communally.<ref name=":0" />
-* [[Egg predation|Ovivory]]
-* [[Indian egg-eating snake|Indian Egg-Eating Snake]]
-== References ==
+==See also==
+*[[Garter snake]]s
+*[[Egg predation|Ovivory]]
+*[[Indian egg-eating snake]]
+==References==
 {{Reflist}}
-*{{EMBL species|genus=Dasypeltis|species=fasciata}}
+==Further reading==
+*[[Andrew Smith (zoologist)|Smith A]]. (1849). ''Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected during an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa:" Together with a Summary of African Zoology, and an Inquiry into the Geographical Range of Species in that Quarter of the Globe.'' [''Volume III. Reptilia.''] London: Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury. (Smith, Elder and Co., printers). Plates + unnumbered pages of text. (''Dasypeltis fasciatus'', new species, Plate LXXIII).
 {{Taxonbar|from=Q387417}}
-[[Category:Colubrids]]
+[[Category:Dasypeltis]]
 [[Category:Snakes of Africa]]
 [[Category:Fauna of Central Africa]]
 [[Category:Reptiles described in 1849]]
+[[Category:Taxa named by Andrew Smith (zoologist)]]
-{{colubrid-stub}}