Cacophis krefftii

Cacophis krefftii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Cacophis
Species:
C. krefftii
Binomial name
Cacophis krefftii
Synonyms[3]
  • Cacophis krefftii
    Günther, 1863
  • Pseudelaps krefftii
    — Boulenger, 1896
  • Cacophis krefftii
    — Cogger, 1983

Cacophis krefftii is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae.[4][3] The species is endemic to Australia.[3]

Etymology

The specific name, krefftii, is in honor of German-born Australian naturalist Gerard Krefft.[5]

Common names

Common names for C. krefftii include dwarf crowned snake,[6] southern dwarf crowned snake,[7] and Krefft's dwarf snake.[3]

Description

C. krefftii may attain a total length (including tail) of 34.5 cm (13.6 in). Dorsally, it is dark gray, with a yellow nuchal collar. Ventrally it is yellow, with some black at the edges of the ventral scales.[8]

Geographic range

The geographic range of C. krefftii extends from the Central Coast of New South Wales to South East Queensland.[9]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of C. krefftii is forest.[1]

Behavior

C. krefftii is terrestrial and nocturnal.[1] When threatened it may raise the anterior part of its body, in the manner of a cobra.[8]

Diet

C. krefftii preys upon sleeping diurnal skinks.[8]

Reproduction

C. krefftii is oviparous.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Shea, G.; Wilson, S.; Vanderduys, E.; Sanderson, C. (2018). "Cacophis krefftii ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T102706882A102707088. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T102706882A102707088.en. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  2. ^ "GBIF – Cacophis krefftii Günther, 1863". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e Cacophis krefftii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 15 November 2014.
  4. ^ "ITIS standard report – Cacophis krefftii Günther, 1863". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  5. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Cacophis krefftii, p. 146).
  6. ^ "Species profile – Cacophis krefftii (Elapidae)". Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (Queensland). 20 October 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  7. ^ "Cacophis krefftii Günther, 1863 – Southern Dwarf Crowned Snake". Atlas of Living Australia. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  8. ^ a b c Wilson S, Swan G (2023). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Sixth Edition. Sydney: Reed New Holland Publishers. 688 pp. ISBN 978-1-92554-671-2. (Cacophis krefftii, pp. 588–589).
  9. ^ "Golden-crowned Snake". Australian Museum. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2014.

Further reading

  • Boulenger GA (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the Colubridæ (Opisthoglyphæ and Proteroglyphæ) .... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I–XXV. (Pseudelaps krefftii, p. 318).
  • Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN 978-0643100350.
  • Günther A (1863). "Third Account of new Species of Snakes in the Collection of the British Museum". Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Third Series 12: 348–365. (Cacophis krefftii, new species, p. 361).
  • Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN 978-1921517280.