Ithycyphus miniatus

Ithycyphus miniatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Lamprophiidae
Genus: Ithycyphus
Species: I. miniatus
Binomial name
Ithycyphus miniatus
(Schlegel, 1867)
Synonyms

Ithycyphus miniatus is a species of venomous lamprophiid snake native to Madagascar.[2]

Venom

It is calm and reluctant to bite, but has a venom capable of causing severe pain and extensive bleeding in humans.[2][3]

Behavior and diet

It is small and nocturnal and preys on grey mouse lemurs and other small mammals.[2][3]

In local folklore

Its name in Malagasy is fandrefiala, and it is greatly feared by many rural people of Madagascar, who believe it is able to hypnotize humans with its gaze.[4]

Taxonomy

It was given its binomial name by Hermann Schlegel in 1837.[5]

References

  1. Raxworthy, C.J. & Rakotondravony, H. (2011). "Ithycyphus miniatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Ithycyphus miniatus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  3. 1 2 Mori A, Mizuta T. 2006. "Envenomation by the Madagascan colubrid snake, Ithycyphus miniatus". Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 12: 512-520.
  4. "Snakes of Madagascar". wildmadagascar.org. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  5. Schlegel H. 1837. Essai sur la physionomie des serpens. Partie Générale: xxviii + 251 pp. + Partie Descriptive: 606 + xvi pp. Amsterdam: M.H. Schonekat. (Coluber miniatus, new species, pp. 148-149 of Partie Descriptive). (in French).

Further reading

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