Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata Scientific name Rhinotyphlops schinzi | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Serpentes Rank Species | |
Similar Rhinotyphlops, Afrotyphlops schlegelii, Ramphotyphlops ligatus | ||
Rhinotyphlops schinzi, commonly known as Schinz's beaked blind snake, is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae. The species is endemic to southern Africa.
Contents
Etymology
The specific name, schinzi, is in honor of "Herr Dr. Hans Schinz", who collected the first specimens in 1884 & 1885 in the Kalahari Desert. He should not be confused with Swiss naturalist Heinrich Rudolf Schinz (1777-1861).
Geographic range
R. schinzi is found from Namibia and neighboring Botswana south to Calvinia and Kenhardt in Northern Cape, South Africa.
Description
The coloration of R. schinzi varies from yellowish to flesh-colored. The dorsum is marked with blue-black to reddish-brown blotches which may appear as crossbars. The venter and sides of the body are unmarked.
Adults may attain a total length (including tail) of 28 cm (11 inches).
The dorsal scales are arranged in 22-26 rows. There are more than 400 dorsal scales in the vertebral series.
The snout is strongly hooked, with the nostrils located below the sharp cutting edge. The rostral is large, but not extending as far as the eyes. There are four upper labials. The nasal is semidivided, the cleft proceeding from the first upper labial. A preocular is present, which is narrower than the nasal or the ocular, and in contact with the third upper labial. The eyes are distinct. The upper head scales are larger than the body scales. The diameter of body 45 times in the total length. The tail is as long as broad, ending in a spine.
Habitat
The habitat of R. schinzi is arid savannah and semidesert.