Dasypeltis fasciata, commonly known as the Central African egg-eating snake or the western forest eggeater, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa. It is one of 13 species in the genus Dasypeltis, and is occasionally kept in captivity as an exotic pet along with other members of its genus, particularly D. scabra and D. medici.[3]
D. fasciata is found in western and central Africa including the Central African Republic, Gambia, Nigeria, and Uganda.[1]
The preferred habitat of D. fasciata is lowland forest at altitudes of approximately 1,000–1,150 m (3,280–3,770 ft).[2]
Owing to their nature as obligate ovivores, all members of the genus Dasypeltis are arboreal, preferring to remain in the trees where they can locate bird-nests, and tend to be nocturnal as this is when the diurnal bird species they prey upon are asleep and most likely to leave their eggs unguarded. Their diet also affects their biology, and has resulted in an evolutionary adaptation that has removed their teeth and substantially increased the capacity of their necks. This facilitates the consumption of whole eggs. Once inside the neck, three bony projections from the cervical vertebrae are extended and the egg is crushed against them, puncturing and cracking it. The eggs are then squeezed to extract the liquids inside, and the shell is regurgitated.[4] This adaptation allows them to exploit a food source that is almost completely uncontested in their natural habitat. During feeding, they have an extensible, highly flattened trachea that can push around the egg and allow them to continue breathing whilst swallowing an egg several times wider than their own body.[5]
In captivity, it is recommended that D. fasciata be provided with extensive climbing materials in order to provide environmental enrichment. As is typical in snakes, males tend to be smaller than females. Baby egg-eating snakes and adult males are generally able to eat finch eggs, although some males can grow large enough to eat button quail eggs. Female adults are often large enough to eat full size quail eggs or even chicken eggs. However, in the wild they will only eat eggs that are at a very early stage of development, and cannot digest a foetal bird chick.[4]
African egg-eating snakes lack teeth, and as such they often have difficulty with defending themselves. This is necessary for their diet, as teeth would reduce the capacity of their necks; however, it presents issues with predation. It is believed that their primary defence stems from Batesian mimicry, as most species in the genus Dasypeltis strongly resemble other, venomous snake species such as black mambas or vipers, providing them with a deterrent against predators.[5] However, this lack of teeth also makes it almost impossible for the snake to harm other specimens in captivity, making it one of the few species of snakes that can be housed communally.[4]
Dasypeltis fasciata, commonly known as the Central African egg-eating snake or the western forest eggeater, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Africa. It is one of 13 species in the genus Dasypeltis, and is occasionally kept in captivity as an exotic pet along with other members of its genus, particularly D. scabra and D. medici.
Dasypeltis fasciata Dasypeltis generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Colubridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Dasypeltis fasciata Dasypeltis generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Colubridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Dasypeltis fasciata est une espèce de serpents de la famille des Colubridae[1]. Vernaculairement, on parle du mangeurs d’œufs des forêts de l'Ouest, en référence à sa zone de répartition ouest africaine.
Dasypeltis fasciata[2] mesure en moyenne 60 cm (maximum observé : 102 cm). Son dos est gris olive à rougeâtre et est marqué de taches ou lignes transversales jaunâtres. Son ventre est uniformément brun grisâtre. Sa tête est petite et assez peu distincte du cou. Son museau est arrondi. Ses yeux sont de taille moyenne et leur pupille est verticale.
C'est une espèce essentiellement forestière qui est souvent confondu avec Dasypeltis gansi, le mangeur d'œufs de Gans en zone de savane, ou de plaine[3].
Cette espèce se rencontre[1] au Cameroun, en Côte d'Ivoire, au Gabon, en Gambie, au Ghana, en Guinée, en Guinée-Bissau, au Liberia, au Mali, au Nigeria, en Ouganda, en République centrafricaine, en République démocratique du Congo, en République du Congo, au Sénégal, en Sierra Leone, au Tchad et au Togo. Sa présence est incertaine au Bénin.
Son nom d'espèce, du latin fasciata, « entouré de bandes », lui a été donné en référence aux marques présentent sur son dos.
Dasypeltis fasciata est une espèce de serpents de la famille des Colubridae. Vernaculairement, on parle du mangeurs d’œufs des forêts de l'Ouest, en référence à sa zone de répartition ouest africaine.
Dasypeltis fasciata là một loài rắn trong họ Rắn nước. Loài này được Smith mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1849.[1]
Bài viết liên quan phân họ rắn Colubrinae này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Dasypeltis fasciata là một loài rắn trong họ Rắn nước. Loài này được Smith mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1849.
