Seychelles wolf snake
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
SPECIES
Lycognathophis seychellensis

The Seychelles wolf snake (Lycognathophis seychellensis ) is a species of snake in the superfamily Colubroidea. It is monotypic within the genus Lycognathophis. The New Latin name, Lycognathophis, is derived from the Greek words λύκος (lykos ) meaning "wolf", γνάθος (gnathos ) meaning "jaw", and όφις (ophis ) meaning "snake", referring to the snake's dentition.

Appearance

This species has 20-22 large, subequal maxillary teeth and its anterior mandibular teeth are very large, much larger than in the posterior. Its head is very distinct from the neck. The eye is moderate, with a vertically elliptic pupil but no loreal shield. Body elongate; dorsal scales keeled, with apical pits, in 17 rows. Tail long; anal divided; subcaudals paired. Ventrals 184-202; subcaudals 92-110.

Show More

Dorsally yellowish or grayish brown, uniform or with dark brown spots; dark streak on each side of head, passing through eye; upper lip yellowish, usually with brown dots; posteriorly four series of brown spots, confluent into stripes on tail. Ventrally yellowish, usually powdered or dotted with brown; a brown spot at each outer end of anterior ventrals.

Adults may attain 1 m (40 inches) in total length, with a tail 31 cm (12 inches) long.

Show Less

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

It is endemic to Seychelles.

Show More

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Show Less

Biome

Population

Population number

It is threatened by habitat loss.

References

1. Seychelles wolf snake Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seychelles_wolf_snake
2. Seychelles wolf snake on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/61427/12481585

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About