Post by Ceratodromeus on Jul 20, 2016 17:56:49 GMT 5
Southern twig snake - Thelotornis capensis
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Infraorder: Alethinophidia
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Thelotornis
Species: T.capensis
Subspecies
[*]T.c.oatesi
[*] T.c.mossambicus
[/ul]
Description
The twig snakes(Thelotornis) are a small genus of venomous colubrids that are very well adapted for an arboreal lifestyle; their cryptic coloration along with their slender morphology allows them to expertly camouflage themselves along the tree branches of their environment. The twig snake is the species that led to the untimely demise of the famous German Herpetologist Robert Mertens, who despite possessing a knowledge of serious bites inflicted by twig snakes and another rear fanged venomous colubrid, the boomslang, hand fed his captive twig snake, dying three weeks later as a result of a bite[small]{1}[/small].
Sexual dimorphism is negligible, if even present, in this species; adult females and males attain similar lengths and weights.In a study published in 1996{2}, a sample of 32 adult males ranged from 58-80cm(22.8-31.4in), with a mean of 69cm(27.1in) in snout-ventral length; tail length ranged from 35.4-50.5cm(13.9-19.8in). A sample of 42 adult females ranged from 59.5-82.5cm(23.4-32.4in), with a mean of 71.3cm(28in); tail lengths ranged from 31-48.4cm(12.2-19in). Body mass for males ranged from 37-180g(1.3-6.3oz), with a mean of 77g(2.7oz) ; that of females ranged from 49-130g(1.7-4.5oz), with a mean of 80g(2.8oz).
Geographic distribution & habitat use
The southern twig snake occurs throughout most of Central and Southern Africa, and the different subspecies occupy an array of habitats from forest highlands to more arid savannas{3}, and due to their adaptability as a species there is a high degree of hybridization between the subspecies{3}. Twig snakes appear to be active throughout the entire year, with no high degree of deviation of individuals captured between the months{2}. Though probably not overly abundant in sugarcane plantations, A nocturnal road survey conducted in 2014 in Northern Swaziland turned up a single individual with six others found in savanna habitat{4}.
Dietary habits
Southern twig snakes take a wide variety of prey, from invertebrates to vertebrates. An ontogenetic shift in prey is present, with juvenile animals feeding exclusively on lizards, while adults take a far wider range of prey. Animals recovered from the gut of preserved snakes include frogs(Breviceps sp, Breviceps adspersus, Tomopterna cryptotis, Chiromantis xerampelina), lizards(Acanthocerus atricollis, Agama aculeata distani, Bradypodion setaroi, Chameleo dilepis, Gerrhosaurus multilineatus Lygodactylus capensis, Nucrus ornata, Mabuya sp, M.depressa, M.striata punctatitissimus, M.s.striata,M.varia, Varanus albigularis), snakes(Duberria lutrix, Lycodonomorphus rufulus, Philothamnus hoplogaster), a bird(Vidua regia), Termite alates, and a grasshopper in one individual{2}.
Reproduction
This species is oviparous and attains sexual maturity at less than 60cm in snout-ventral length{2}. Males engage in ritualized combat, which consists of one animal trying to push the other to the substrate to assert dominance{5}. Time of reproduction depends on the locality, with those in tropical locales hypothesized to reproduce earlier in the year. A typical clutch is around 6-7, but can number as many as 10. The male reproductive cycle is strongly seasonal, but females may produce less than one clutch annually.
References
{1}Greene, Harry W., Michael Fogden, and Patricia Fogden. Snakes: the evolution of mystery in nature. Univ of California Press, 2000.
{2}Shine, Richard, et al. "Life on the lowest branch: sexual dimorphism, diet, and reproductive biology of an African twig snake, Thelotornis capensis (Serpentes, Colubridae)." Copeia (1996): 290-299.
{3} Broadley, D. G. "Problems presented by geographical variation in the African vine snakes, genus Thelotornis." South African Journal of Zoology 14.3 (1979): 125-131.
{4} OWEN, JACOB D., JESSE M. MEIK, and T. WAYNE SCHWERTNER. "Preliminary Nocturnal Road Survey of Snakes in Northeastern Swaziland: Effects of Agriculture on Relative Abundance." Herpetological Review 46.1 (2015): 12-15.
{5}BENNEFIELD, BARBARA L. "COMBAT AND MATING IN THE VINE SNAKE THELOTORNIS CAPENSIS MOSSAMBICANA." The Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 28.1 (1982): 13-14.
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Infraorder: Alethinophidia
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Thelotornis
Species: T.capensis
Subspecies
[*]T.c.oatesi
[*] T.c.mossambicus
[/ul]
Description
The twig snakes(Thelotornis) are a small genus of venomous colubrids that are very well adapted for an arboreal lifestyle; their cryptic coloration along with their slender morphology allows them to expertly camouflage themselves along the tree branches of their environment. The twig snake is the species that led to the untimely demise of the famous German Herpetologist Robert Mertens, who despite possessing a knowledge of serious bites inflicted by twig snakes and another rear fanged venomous colubrid, the boomslang, hand fed his captive twig snake, dying three weeks later as a result of a bite[small]{1}[/small].
Sexual dimorphism is negligible, if even present, in this species; adult females and males attain similar lengths and weights.In a study published in 1996{2}, a sample of 32 adult males ranged from 58-80cm(22.8-31.4in), with a mean of 69cm(27.1in) in snout-ventral length; tail length ranged from 35.4-50.5cm(13.9-19.8in). A sample of 42 adult females ranged from 59.5-82.5cm(23.4-32.4in), with a mean of 71.3cm(28in); tail lengths ranged from 31-48.4cm(12.2-19in). Body mass for males ranged from 37-180g(1.3-6.3oz), with a mean of 77g(2.7oz) ; that of females ranged from 49-130g(1.7-4.5oz), with a mean of 80g(2.8oz).
Geographic distribution & habitat use
The southern twig snake occurs throughout most of Central and Southern Africa, and the different subspecies occupy an array of habitats from forest highlands to more arid savannas{3}, and due to their adaptability as a species there is a high degree of hybridization between the subspecies{3}. Twig snakes appear to be active throughout the entire year, with no high degree of deviation of individuals captured between the months{2}. Though probably not overly abundant in sugarcane plantations, A nocturnal road survey conducted in 2014 in Northern Swaziland turned up a single individual with six others found in savanna habitat{4}.
Dietary habits
Southern twig snakes take a wide variety of prey, from invertebrates to vertebrates. An ontogenetic shift in prey is present, with juvenile animals feeding exclusively on lizards, while adults take a far wider range of prey. Animals recovered from the gut of preserved snakes include frogs(Breviceps sp, Breviceps adspersus, Tomopterna cryptotis, Chiromantis xerampelina), lizards(Acanthocerus atricollis, Agama aculeata distani, Bradypodion setaroi, Chameleo dilepis, Gerrhosaurus multilineatus Lygodactylus capensis, Nucrus ornata, Mabuya sp, M.depressa, M.striata punctatitissimus, M.s.striata,M.varia, Varanus albigularis), snakes(Duberria lutrix, Lycodonomorphus rufulus, Philothamnus hoplogaster), a bird(Vidua regia), Termite alates, and a grasshopper in one individual{2}.
Reproduction
This species is oviparous and attains sexual maturity at less than 60cm in snout-ventral length{2}. Males engage in ritualized combat, which consists of one animal trying to push the other to the substrate to assert dominance{5}. Time of reproduction depends on the locality, with those in tropical locales hypothesized to reproduce earlier in the year. A typical clutch is around 6-7, but can number as many as 10. The male reproductive cycle is strongly seasonal, but females may produce less than one clutch annually.
References
{1}Greene, Harry W., Michael Fogden, and Patricia Fogden. Snakes: the evolution of mystery in nature. Univ of California Press, 2000.
{2}Shine, Richard, et al. "Life on the lowest branch: sexual dimorphism, diet, and reproductive biology of an African twig snake, Thelotornis capensis (Serpentes, Colubridae)." Copeia (1996): 290-299.
{3} Broadley, D. G. "Problems presented by geographical variation in the African vine snakes, genus Thelotornis." South African Journal of Zoology 14.3 (1979): 125-131.
{4} OWEN, JACOB D., JESSE M. MEIK, and T. WAYNE SCHWERTNER. "Preliminary Nocturnal Road Survey of Snakes in Northeastern Swaziland: Effects of Agriculture on Relative Abundance." Herpetological Review 46.1 (2015): 12-15.
{5}BENNEFIELD, BARBARA L. "COMBAT AND MATING IN THE VINE SNAKE THELOTORNIS CAPENSIS MOSSAMBICANA." The Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 28.1 (1982): 13-14.
