Brachyurophis morrisi

Arnhem shovel-nosed snake
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Brachyurophis
Species:	B. morrisi
Binomial name
Brachyurophis morrisi (Horner, 1998)
Synonyms
Simoselaps morrisi Horner 1998

Brachyurophis morrisi, also known as the Arnhem shovel-nosed snake, is a species of mildly venomous burrowing snake that is endemic to Australia. The specific epithet morrisi honours author and naturalist Ian James Morris for his contributions to knowledge of the animals of the Northern Territory, who first collected the species in 1970.[2]

Description

The species grows to an average of about 23 centimetres or 9 inches in length. It is orange-brown in colour and unbanded apart from a dark band across the nape. The body scales are often dark-edged.[2]

Behaviour

The species is oviparous. It feeds on reptile eggs.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The species' range is limited to northern Arnhem Land in the tropical Top End of the Northern Territory, where it occurs in woodland dominated by Eucalyptus miniata.[2]

References

1. Gillespie, G.; Greenlees, M.; Fenner, A.; McDonald, P.; Woinarski, J. (2018). "Brachyurophis morrisi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T29441A102705934. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T29441A102705934.en. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
2. "Arnhem shovel-nosed snake". Australian Reptile Online Database. Stewart Macdonald. Retrieved 24 May 2021.