Desert death otter
| Desert death otter | ||||||||||||
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Desert death adder ( Acanthophis pyrrhus ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Acanthophis pyrrhus | ||||||||||||
| Boulenger , 1898 |
The desert death adder ( Acanthophis pyrrhus ) is a species of snake from the family of poisonous snakes (Elapidae) and belongs to the genus of the death adder ( Acanthophis ).
features
Acanthophis pyrrhus is considered the smallest species in its genus. It reaches a total length between 40 and 50 cm, maximum 76 cm. The head is broad and clearly set off from the neck. The eye has a pupil that is vertically slit when exposed to light. The trunk is stocky. The tail is tapered like a spike. The species has a brick-red basic color and 50 to 70 yellowish transverse bands along the body. The scales on the back and flanks are often darkly edged. The ventral scales are porcelain-colored. The poison apparatus consists of poison glands located on the side of the skull (specialized salivary glands ) and fixed fangs located in the anterior upper jaw ( proteroglyphic tooth position).
Pholidosis
The pholidosis (scaling) shows the following characteristics:
- keeled head shields,
- 19 to 21 rows of strongly keeled trunk scales ( Scuta dorsalia ),
- 126 to 160 abdominal shields ( scuta ventralia ),
- 42 to 63 under tail shields ( Scuta subcaudalia ) and
- 1 undivided anal shield ( scutum anale ).
distribution
The distribution area includes areas within Australia in the states of Northern Territory , Queensland , South Australia and Western Australia . The focus of the distribution area extends over central and western Australia. The populated biotopes are predominantly arid and are characterized by grass stocks, rocky landscapes and sandy or stony plains.
Way of life
Acanthophis pyrrhus leads a largely nocturnal way of life and stays buried in the ground, under vegetation, in underground animal structures or similar hiding places during the day. The species has also been observed climbing in low bushes. When threatened, the body is flattened, whereby the yellowish transverse bands stand out clearly. The prey spectrum primarily includes agamas and skinks . Occasionally small mammals and birds are also captured. As a hide hunter, she waits for prey to pass by. The tip of the tail, which is tapered like a worm, is mostly stuck out of the substrate near the head. A worm, for example, is imitated by a light color and twitching movements in order to attract prey. These are grabbed by a quick bite of the snake when they get close enough.
Acanthophis pyrrhus is reproduced by ovoviviparia , i.e. it is viviparous. A litter contains up to 13 young snakes. These measure around 16 mm at birth.
Snake venom
The poisonous secretion of Acanthophis pyrrhus primarily contains presynaptic and postsynaptic neurotoxins . There are also presumably substances with an anticoagulant effect. Poisoning occurs in 40 to 60% of bite accidents. Without adequate and rapid medical care, the mortality rate is between 50 and 60%. In addition to non-specific general symptoms (e.g. headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting) and slight pain at the bite site, neurotoxic symptoms are in the foreground. Symptoms of paralysis can initially manifest themselves as ptosis and eventually lead to paralysis . Death can result from peripheral respiratory paralysis . The most important measure after intoxication by poison bite is the application of a suitable antivenin (e.g. 'Death Adder Antivenom' or 'Polyvalent Snake Antivenom (Australia - New Guinea)' from the manufacturer CSL Limited ) as part of intensive care.
Synonyms
The following synonyms are noteworthy for Acanthophis pyrrhus :
- Acanthophis antarcticus pyrrhus
- Aggressiserpens pyrrhus Wells 2002
- Acanthophis pyrrhus armstrongi Wells & Wellington 1985
- Aggressiserpens armstrongi Wells 2002
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b University of Adelaide, Clinical Toxinology Resources: Acanthophis pyrrhus (accessed January 11, 2019)
- ↑ The Reptile Database: Acanthophis pyrrhus (accessed January 11, 2019)
literature
- Ludwig Trutnau: Snakes in the terrarium. Volume 2: Venomous Snakes. Verlag Ulmer, Stuttgart 1998, ISBN 3-800-1705-23 .
