Rough-scaled death adder
The rough-scaled death adder (Acanthophis rugosus) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae.[1] It was first described in 1948 by British biologist Arthur Loveridge.
| Rough-scaled death adder | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Acanthophis |
| Species: | A. rugosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Acanthophis rugosus Loveridge, 1948 belong to the Ela belong to the Elapidae family (like cobras). The name of the genus derives from the Ancient Greek akanthospidae family (like cobras). The name of the genus derives from the Ancient Greek akanthos | |
Habitat
They are native to North Australia, particularly Arnhem Land. Rough-scaled death adders are native to deserts.[2]
Diet
Death adders are generalists that feed upon small mammals, birds, lizards, and frogs. It is likely that allometric (size-related) shifts occur, with smaller specimens feeding more upon lizards and frogs and larger specimens including more mammals in their diets. Regional and interspecific differences in diet may also occur, although these are poorly documented. Like other species in the Elapidae family, they are ground hunter, and can wait for days and days in grass for food.[2]
Description
Body slender to stout, unicolour or with a patterning of crossbands, with smooth or keeled scales in 19-23 rows at midbody, head angular with elevated supraocular scales, 6-7 supralabials with temporolabial scale present, eyes small with vertically elliptical pupils, tail slender, extremely distinct from the body, terminating in a flattened spinous tip which may be black or yellow and contrasts with the dorsal body colouration.[2]
References
- Acanthophis rugosus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 17 February 2016.
- "Death Adders, Acanthophis Daudin, 1803". The University of Melbourne. The University of Melmore. Retrieved March 8, 2022.