Okinawa Habo snake
| Okinawa Habo snake | ||||||||||||
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Okinawa Habuschnake ( Ovophis okinavensis ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Ovophis okinavensis | ||||||||||||
| ( Boulenger , 1892) |
The Okinawa Habuschlange ( Ovophis okinavensis ) is an Asian snake species of vipers and pit vipers of the genus Ovophis .
features
Ovophis okinavensis has a strong, stocky build and reaches a total length between 30 and 55 cm, rarely up to 80 cm. When viewed from above, the head is triangular in shape and clearly stands out from the neck. The relatively small eye has a pupil that slits vertically when exposed to light. The top of the head is dark brown in color, the shields of the lower lip are dotted with black. A wide, black and somewhat lighter-colored band runs between the eye and the neck. The body has a brownish to yellowish-gray basic color. Dark brown spots can be seen along the back, which can be fused together and form a wave-like band. The flanks are marked by evenly arranged, dark brown spots that are lined with black on the front and back. Another row of black spots runs below the flanks, with each spot covering the edge of an abdominal shield and one or two adjacent flank scales. The ventral side is porcelain to gray and densely dotted.
As is typical for vipers, the venom apparatus consists of venom glands located on the side of the skull (specialized salivary glands) and movable fangs located in the anterior upper jaw (solenoglyph tooth position).
Pholidosis
The pholidosis (scaling) shows the following characteristics:
- Loreal pit ( pit organ ) surrounded by the 2nd upper lip shield, lower front eye shield and a narrow shield from below,
- 7 to 8 upper lip shields ( supralabials ),
- Scuta ocularia : 2 to 3 lower eye shields, larger upper eye shields separated by 6 to 9 rows of scales,
- 23, partly 21 rows of weakly keeled rump scales ( Scuta dorsalia ), some rear not keeled ,
- 125 to 135 abdominal shields ( Scuta ventralia ),
- 39 to 55 under- tail shields ( Scuta subcaudalia ), anterior undivided and posterior paired, as well as
- 1 undivided anal shield ( scutum anale ).
distribution
The distribution area of Ovophis okinavensis is on the Japanese Ryūkyū Islands . As Terra typica is Iejima ( Okinawa Prefecture ) specified. The populated habitats are represented by wetlands in the lowlands, mountainous grasslands and forest areas. It is mostly found close to the water. As a cultural follower, the snake can also be found on agricultural land.
Way of life
Ovophis okinavensis leads a largely nocturnal and ground-dwelling way of life. The range of prey for the species primarily includes frogs, but small reptiles, rodents and birds are also preyed on. It is not particularly aggressive, which is why, despite its proximity to humans, relatively few bite accidents are documented. According to Trutnau (1998), reproduction takes place, depending on environmental conditions, through oviparity (egg-laying) or ovoviviparia (egg-bearing life). According to other reports, fully developed juvenile snakes are born that are born in a fetal membrane that is more or less devoid of hardened shell. This membrane is usually left on the same day (ovoviviparous).
Snake venom
A poison bite can release 22.2 mg (dry weight) of poison. The poisonous secretion of Ovophis okinavensis contains substances that influence hemostasis (pro- and anticoagulants) and possibly hemorrhagins ( metalloproteases ). In addition to non-specific general symptoms (e.g. headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting), local pain and edema , blistering and necrosis as well as systemic coagulopathy , hemorrhages and shock can occur in humans after a poisonous bite . A specific antivenin is not available and clinical reports of bite accidents are scarce. It is assumed that bites of the species are mostly associated with local effects and systemic effects rarely occur. In the case of severe intoxication , a therapeutic attempt with an antivenin for Gloydius blomhoffii bites (e.g. 'Freeze-dried Mamushi Antivenom, Equine', Takeda ) can be carried out.
Synonyms
The most important synonyms are:
- Trimeresurus okinavensis Boulenger 1892
- Lachesis okinawensis Boulenger 1896
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c The Reptile Database: Ovophis okinavensis (accessed April 28, 2019)
- ↑ a b University of Adelaide, Clinical Toxinology Resources: Ovophis okinavensis (accessed April 13, 2019)
literature
- Ludwig Trutnau: Snakes in the Terrarium Vol. 2: Poisonous snakes . Verlag Ulmer, Stuttgart 1998, ISBN 3-800-1705-23 .
