Amplorhinus

Amplorhinus multimaculatus, also known commonly as the many-spotted snake or the Cape reed snake, is a species of mildly venomous snake in the family Lamprophiidae.[2] The species, which is native to southern Africa, is monotypic in the genus Amplorhinus.

Amplorhinus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Lamprophiidae
Genus: Amplorhinus
A. Smith, 1847
Species:
A. multimaculatus
Binomial name
Amplorhinus multimaculatus
A. Smith, 1847
Synonyms[2]

Geographic range

A. multimaculatus is found in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.[1][2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of A. multimaculatus are freshwater wetlands, grassland, shrubland, and forest.[1]

Description

A small species, A. multimaculatus may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 45 cm (18 in).[3]

Diet

A. multimaculatus preys on frogs and lizards.[3]

Reproduction

A. multimaculatus is viviparous.[2] Usually four to eight young are born in late summer. Each neonate measures 12.5–20 cm (4.9–7.9 in) in total length (including tail).[3]

Venom

If a human is bitten by A. multimaculatus, the venom may cause localized swelling, inflammation, and pain. The venom is delivered by enlarged grooved teeth at the rear of the mouth.[3]

References
  1. Maritz B, Marais J (2018). "Amplorhinus multimaculatus ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T110133584A110347064. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T110133584A110347064.en. Downloaded on 16 October 2018.
  2. Amplorhinus multimaculatus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 16 October 2018.
  3. Branch, Bill (2004). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa Third Revised Edition, Second impression. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 399 pp. ISBN 0-88359-042-5. (Amplorhinus multimaculatus, pp. 82–83 + Plate 18).

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. (Amplorhinus multimaculatus, p. 125).
  • Smith A (1847). Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected during an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa:" Together with a Summary of African Zoology, and an Inquiry into the Geographical Ranges of Species in that Quarter of the Globe. London: Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury. (Smith, Elder and Co., printers). Plates + unnumbered pages of text. (Amplorhinus multimaculatus, new species, Plate LVII).



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