Class Reptilia Family Atractaspididae Phylum Chordata Order Scaled reptiles | Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Scientific name Xenocalamus Rank Genus | |
Similar Amblyodipsas, Macrelaps, Elapotinus, Aparallactus, Micrelaps | ||
Xenocalamus is a genus of rear-fanged venomous snakes endemic to Africa. Five species are recognized.
Contents
Description (diagnosis) of genus
Maxillary very short, with five teeth gradually increasing in size and followed, after an interspace, by two large grooved fangs situated below the eye. Anterior mandibular teeth slightly larger than the posterior ones. Palate toothless.
Head small, not distinct from neck. Snout pointed, very prominent, very flattened. Rostral very large with obtuse horizontal edge, flat below. Eye minute, with round pupil. Nostril between two nasals, the posterior nasal very large. No loreal. Prefrontals absent (fused with the frontal). No anterior temporal.
Body cylindrical; tail very short, obtuse.
Dorsal scales smooth, without apical pits, arranged in 17 rows. Ventrals rounded; subcaudals in two rows.
Species
*) Not including the nominate subspecies.