Yellow-faced whipsnake
The yellow-faced whip snake (Demansia psammophis) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae, a family containing many dangerous snakes.
Yellow-faced whipsnake | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Elapidae |
Genus: | Demansia |
Species: | D. psammophis |
Binomial name | |
Demansia psammophis (Schlegel, 1837) | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
Demansia psammophis is a long thin snake with a narrow head. Dorsally, it is greyish green to grayish blue in colour. Below the eye is a black "comma"-like marking which extends to the edge of the lip; this black marking is edged with yellow in front and behind. A white-edged dark line is seen across the snout, especially in juveniles.
Average total length (including tail) is 80 cm (31 in), maximum 1.2 m (47 in). Hatchlings are 20 cm (7.9 in) long.
Behaviour
Although not an aggressive species, the bite of D. psammophis is to be avoided, as extreme pain will affect the bitten limb.
Diet
Demansia psammophis is a lizard eating specialist, and it is common throughout its range.
![](../I/m/Demansia_psammophis_Berowra_Creek.jpg)
References
- Shea, G., Gaikhorst, G. & Cowan, M. 2017. Demansia psammophis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T42492989A42492999. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T42492989A42492999.en. Downloaded on 17 December 2018.
- "Demansia psammophis ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
Sources
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Demansia psammophis. |
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Wikispecies has information related to Demansia psammophis |
- Weigel, John (2002). Australian Reptile Park's Guide to Snakes of South-east Australia...
- Cotter, Harold G.(Oct 2018. Updated Seventh Edition.) “REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF AUSTRALIA.”
ISBN 0-646-00006-3. (Demansia psammophis, p. 50).
- "Demansia psammophis ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. www.itis.gov.
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. (Diemenia psammophis, pp. 322–323).
- Schlegel H (1837). Essai sur la physionomie des serpens. Amsterdam: M.H. Schonekat. Partie générale, xxviii + 251 pp.; Partie descriptive, 606 + xvi pp. (Elaps psammophis, new species, p. 455). (in French).