Ornamental snake
| Ornamental snake | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Denisonia |
| Species: | D. maculata |
| Binomial name | |
| Denisonia maculata (Steindachner, 1867) | |
The ornamental snake (Denisonia maculata) is a small elapid snake found in the Bowen Basin of Queensland, Australia. Ornamental snakes grow to about 40 centimetres in length and appear to be primarily frog eaters.[2] They are nocturnal, and are thought to shelter in soil cracks during the day. They tend to be found in areas of deeply cracking, alluvial soils.
While not generally regarded as dangerous to man, bites from this species may result in localised swelling[3] and/or loss of consciousness.[4] Large specimens should be treated with caution.
References
- ↑ Australasian Reptile & Amphibian Specialist Group (1996). Denisonia maculata. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2.
- ↑ Shine, R. (1983). "Food habits and reproductive biology of Australian elapid snakes of the genus Denisonia". Journal of Herpetology 17 (2): 171–175. doi:10.2307/1563458.
- ↑ Blomberg, S. P. (1997). "Local symptoms of envenomation by the Ornamental snake, Denisonia maculata (Steindachner): Elapidae". Herpetofauna 27 (1): 46–48.
- ↑ Kellaway, C. H. (1934). "The venom of the ornamented snake Denisonia maculata". Australian journal of experimental biology and medical science 12 (2): 47–54. doi:10.1038/icb.1934.7.
External links
- Species Denisonia maculata at The Reptile Database
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