Scientific Name: Bungarus
Classification
Phylum: Chordata - Dorsal tubular nerve cord, notochord and gill slits present.
Subphylum: Vertebrata - Vertebral column present.
Superclass: Gnathostoma -Jaws and paired appendages present.
Class: Reptilia -Scaly vertebrates. Right and left aortic arches present. Single condyle. Pulmonary respiration. Embryo with amnion and allantois.
Subclass: Lepidosauria
Order: Squamata -Lizards and snakes with horny epidermal scales or shields. Quadrate bone movable. Vertebrae procoelous. Anal opening transverse.
Suborder: Ophidia -Snakes. Limbs, feet, ear openings sternum and urinary bladder absent. Mandibles jointed anteriorly by ligament. Tongue slender, bifid and protrusible. Left lung reduced.
Genus: Bungarus
Habit and habitat: It is a common snake, found in the crevices of walls, under the logs and stones. It is nocturnal and feeds on smaller snakes, toads and mice. It is shy and considerate. It attacks only when disturbed or trodden with foot
Characteristics
- The body is elongated and cylindrical, measuring one metre in length. The body is divided into head, neck, trunk and tail.
- Colour of body steel-blue and dark-blue. Dark-blue, patches alternate with white cross bands.
- Head is not differentiated from the neck. Loreal absent. Post-ocular, preocular and supra-labial 2, 1 and 7 in number respectively. Fangs small. Head contains eyes, nostrils, bifid and protrusible tongue.
- Eyes are of moderate size with round pupils.
- Scales are smooth forming 13-17 rows. Ventrals are 194-234 and caudals 42-52.
Videos
References
- Wikipedia
- The life of invertebrates by J.Z Young
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