Antaioserpens

Robust burrowing snake
Antaioserpens - Wells & Wellington, 1985

Pronunciation:

ann-TAY-ee-oh-SIR-puhns

Etymology:

'From the Greek Antaios, a giant wrestler whose strength was renewed when he touched the earth.'1

Taxonomic notes:

The sole member of this genus was previously placed in Simoselaps.
This genus was originally described as Antaioserpens,1 but has been frequently misspelt as 'Antairoserpens' (note the additional 'r').

Notes:

Statistics:

Reproductive modes:
Oviparous - 2 out of 2 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: robust burrowing snake (Antaioserpens albiceps) at 29 cm
Longest Australian species: robust burrowing snake (Antaioserpens albiceps) at up to 40 cm

Number of Australian species:


Aurukuun, Queensland Photo © Anders Zimny		Antaioserpens albiceps Robust burrowing snake Year described (Boulenger 1898) Description A relatively small, orange to brown snake possessing a prominent dark band across the nape, as well as black and white flecking on the head and snout. Body scales are dark-edged, giving the snake a reticulated appearance.

Chesterton Range, Queensland Photo © Jon-Paul Emery		Antaioserpens warro Warrego burrowing snake Year described (De Vis 1884) Description A small, burrowing snake with small eyes and a weakly shovel-shaped snout. Dark hood on the head, with another dark band on the neck. Body is brownish, with each scale having an irregular dark edge and giving a speckled appearance. Nasal scale separated from preocular by a prefrontal scale. Nasal scales are undivided and are in contact with first and second supralabials. Two primary temporal scales.

References

Wells, Richard W. & Wellington, Ross C. (1985). A classification of the Amphibia and Reptilia of Australia. Australian Journal of Herpetology, Supplementary Series, 1:1-61. - search web for this article

AROD.com.au

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