Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Family Typhlopidae Scientific name Rhinotyphlops somalicus Rank Species | Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Genus Rhinotyphlops Phylum Chordata Order Scaled reptiles | |
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Rhinotyphlops somalicus, commonly known as the Ethiopian blind snake or the highland beaked snake, is a species of snake in the Typhlopidae family. It is endemic to Africa.
Contents
Geographic range
It is found in Ethiopia at higher elevations.
Description
Body pale olive; head yellowish. The type specimen is 45 cm (17 3⁄4 in) in total length. Scales arranged in 24 rows around the body.
Snout very prominent, obtusely pointed, with a sharp horizontal cutting edge, below which are located the nostrils. Head shields granulated. Rostral very large. Portion of rostral visible from above slightly longer than broad; portion visible from below as long as broad. Nasal completely divided, the nasal cleft proceeding from the second upper labial. Preocular nearly as large as the ocular, in contact with the second and third upper labials. Ocular in contact with the third and fourth upper labials. Eyes not distinguishable. Prefrontal and supraoculars transversely enlarged. Diameter of body 90 times in total length. Tail slightly broader than long, ending in a small spine.