Kingdom Animalia Suborder Serpentes Scientific name Simoselaps Higher classification Elapidae Order Scaled reptiles | Subphylum Vertebrata Family Elapidae Phylum Chordata Rank Genus | |
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Similar Snake, Vermicella, Reptile, Elapidae, Suta | ||
Simoselaps, or Australian coral snakes, is a genus composed of 14 species of venomous elapid snakes.
Contents
Geographic range
Species of the genus Simoselaps are found throughout Australia.
Description
Australian coral snakes are small snakes. They have smooth and polished scales, shovel-shaped snouts, and are brightly marked with bands or annuli.
Habitat and behavior
Species of Simoselaps are found mainly in arid regions. They are burrowing snakes which move beneath the surface through loose sand or soil. At night they come to the surface to feed on small lizards and reptile eggs.
Reproduction
All species of Australian coral snakes are oviparous and lay clutches of three to five eggs.
Species
Several of the above species are sometimes placed in the genus Brachyurophis.
References
Simoselaps Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA