Cacophis is a genus of venomous snakes, commonly known as crowned snakes, in the family Elapidae. The genus is endemic to Australia.
| Cacophis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Cacophis squamulosus, golden-crowned snake | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Subfamily: | Hydrophiinae |
| Genus: | Cacophis Günther, 1863 |
| Species | |
|
Four, see text. | |
Description
editAll species of Cacophis have a distinct "crown" pattern on the head, which gives them their common names. They are venomous, but not dangerous to people.
Species
editThe following four species are recognized as being valid.[1]
- Cacophis churchilli Wells & Wellington, 1985 – northern dwarf crowned snake – northeastern Queensland
- Cacophis harriettae Krefft, 1869 – white-crowned snake – eastern Queensland, northeastern New South Wales
- Cacophis krefftii Günther, 1863 – dwarf crowned snake – southeastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales
- Cacophis squamulosus (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854) – golden-crowned snake – eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory
Nota bene: In the above list, a binomial authority in parentheses indicate that the species was originally described in a genus other than Cacophis.
Distribution and habitat
editSpecies of Cacophis are distributed along eastern Australia.[2] They inhabit a variety of forest types, from woodland to rainforest.
Behaviour
editCacophis species are generally nocturnal and feed on lizards and reptile eggs.
References
edit- ^ Cacophis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Genus Cacophis Günther, 1863". Australian Faunal Directory. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
Further reading
edit- Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. ISBN 978-0643100350.
- Günther A (1863). "Third Account of new Species of Snakes in the Collection of the British Museum". Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Third Series 12: 348-365 + Plates V & VI. (Cacophis, new genus, p. 361).
- Swan, Gerry (1995). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Australia. Sydney: New Holland. 144 pp. ISBN 1-85368-585-2.
- Wilson, Steve; Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. ISBN 978-1921517280.
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