Crocodile snake eel
| Crocodile snake eel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Anguilliformes |
| Family: | Ophichthidae |
| Genus: | Brachysomophis |
| Species: | B. crocodilinus |
| Binomial name | |
| Brachysomophis crocodilinus (Bennett, 1833) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
The Crocodile snake eel (Brachysomophis crocodilinus, also known as the Henshaw's snake eel or the Reptilian snake eel[2]) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[3] It was described by Edward Turner Bennett in 1833.[4] It is a tropical, marine eel which is known from the Indo-Pacific, including East Africa, the Society Islands, Japan, and Australia. Males can reach a maximum total length of 120 centimetres. It dwells at a depth range of 0–30 metres (most often at around 0–2 m), and inhabits coral reefs. It forms burrows in sand and lies in wait to ambush prey, leaving only its eyes exposed.[3] Its diet consists of octopuses, species of Calcarina, and finfish.[5]
The species epithet "crocodilinus", as well as the common name, refer to the species' crocodilian appearance. The Crocodile snake eel is used in Chinese medicine.[3]
References
- ↑ Synonyms of Brachysomophis crocodilinus at www.fishbase.org.
- ↑ Common names for Brachysomophis crocodininus at www.fishbase.org.
- 1 2 3 Brachysomophis crocodilinus at www.fishbase.org.
- ↑ Bennett, E. T., 1833 (17 May) [ref. 16786] Characters of new species from the Mauritius. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1833 (pt 1): 32.
- ↑ Food items reported for Brachysomophis crocodilinus at www.fishbase.org.