Rhamphiophis Rostratus Snake Venom (Rufous Beaked Snake Venom)

Description

Rhamphiophis Rostratus Snake Venom | Rufous Beaked Snake Venom:

Rhamphiophis Rostratus Snake Venom | Rufous Beaked Snake Venom is extracted from a snake called rhamphiophis rostratus.

More details about Rhamphiophis Rostratus Snake Venom | Rufous Beaked Snake Venom:

Taxonomic Classification:

About Rhamphiophis Rostratus Snake:

The rufous beaked snake (Rhamphiophis rostratus) is a species of mildly venomous snake in the family Psammophiidae. The species is native to East Africa. Its common name refers to its hooked snout, which it uses to dig burrows, and to its reddish-brown dorsal coloration. It hunts small animals during the day with the help of its venomous bite.

The Rufous beaked snake can be identified by its hooked snout, large eyes, a dark stripe on either side of the head and its peculiar habit of jerking its head from side to side.

Taxonomy:

The two subspecies are R.o. oxyrhynchus (J.T. Reinhardt, 1843) and R.o. rostratus W. Peters, 1854. Some authorities consider the latter to be a species, R. rostratus W. Peters, 1854.

Description:

The rufous beaked snake is large and stout, with males reaching a maximum length of 1.1 m (3.6 ft) and females reaching 1.07 m (3.5 ft).

It has a shortened skull, as with all beaked snakes, giving it a clear distinction between its head and body, as well as a dark brown eye stripe running down the side of its head. Its eyes are large with round pupils.

Its back ranges from grey to yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, and its belly is cream or yellowish-white.

Geographic range:

The rufous beaked snake’s range includes north Botswana, north Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Sudan,.Somalia,

Habitat:

It primarily inhabits bushveld and thornveld (bushland) habitats.

Food:

Eats rodents (e.g. rats and mice), lizards, small snakes, frogs, birds and insects.

Biology:

Diurnal animals, rufous beaked snakes hunt small animals, including other snakes, but stay in burrows during the hottest part of the day. In the summer, females lay eight to 17 cylindrical eggs with dimensions of about 36 mm × 21 mm (1.42 in × 0.83 in) over the span of several days. The snake’s venom, one of its components of which is a neurotoxin called rufoxin, causes hypotension and circulatory shock in small mammals, but is not dangerous to humans.

Predators, parasites and disease:

Eaten by other snakes (particularly vine snakes), birds of prey (particularly secretary birds and snake eagles).

Reproduction:

Oviparous (egg-laying), usually lays between 7 and 18 eggs in summer.

Longevity:

Likely to have an average lifespan of 10 years.

Medical importance:

Although venomous is not dangerous to man.