Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Serpentes People also search for Lycodon bibonius | |
Lycodon alcalai, also known as Alcala’s wolf snake, is a species of colubrid snake found on the islands of Batan and Sabtang in the Philippines.
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Etymology
The species name alcalai was chosen to honor the naturalist A.C. Alcala, who made significant contributions to herpetology in the Philippines.
Description
Lycodon alcalai has a body that is rounded on the back and flattened on the belly. Its head is distinct from its neck, with a snout that extends further than its lower jaw. Its pupils are vertical ellipses. The rostral scale is large and triangular, and extends backwards for some distance. The back of the snake and the top of the head are dark brown in color, while the belly and bottom of the head are white or light cream yellow. A holotype for the species had a snout-to-vent length of 56 centimetres and a tail that was 22.7 centimetres long, giving a total length of 78.7 centimetres. It is distinguished from other species in its genus by the lack of a keel or ridge on the scales on its back, as well as the absence of transverse light bands along the body and tail. It most closely resembles the related species Lycodon chrysoprateros.
Reproduction
Lycodon alcalai is oviparous, or egg-laying.
Phylogeny
Lycodon alcalai is a member of the genus Lycodon, a genus of snakes commonly known as wolf snakes. The genus belongs to the snake family Colubridae, the largest snake family, with member species being found on every continent except Antarctica.
Habitat and ecology
The species prefers lowland habitats, not being found more than 320 meters above sea level. It is frequently found in shrubs or on the forest floor, as well as at the edge of the forest, and occasionally in adjacent agricultural fields. It is thought to feed on the eggs of other reptiles, by slitting them open with its blade-like teeth.
Distribution
Lycodon alcalai is endemic to the Philippine islands of Batan and Sabtang. Recent records of the snake exist from Calayan island as well, and the species may also be found on other small islands in the region.
Conservation
The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers Lycodon alcalai to be a species of least concern, based on a survey in 2007. The islands that it inhabits are well protected, have very few inhabitants, and do not experience anthropogenic environmental disturbances such as hunting or logging.