Added 25 March 2007.

A Look at the Family Colubridae

Aplopeltura

Blunthead Slug-Snake, Philippine Snail-Eating Snake


Introduction

A monotypic genus, similar in appearance to other snail-eating snakes which have a deep head distinctly set off from the body.

Scientific Name Common Name Distribution Size Notes
Aplopeltura
A. boa Blunthead Slug-Snake, Snail-Eating Snake Philippines 50-60cm SVL Forest species that apparently feeds on snails. Scalation details: smooth, 13 rows at midbody, of which vertebral row is enlarged; 156-175 ventrals, 104-120 paired subcaudals; anal is undivided. Other: short and deep head with short snout; pupil vertical; body strongly compressed. Coloration: dorsally yellowish-brown, vaguely mottled with large irregular darker and lighter blotches all over the body; dark area in occipital and frontal area, head otherwise reddish yellow, speckled with brown; broad dark line from eye to mouth, with creamy yellow spot in front of and behind it; mental brownish; chin and throat light cream. Reproduction details: none available

Bibliography

Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna. Volume X, Amphibians and Reptiles, Prof. Angel C Alcala, Natural Resources Management Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources and University of the Philippines, 1986. Very useful field guide to the herps of this area, which is usually under-represented in literature. One slight drawback is that the photographs are black-and-white and the descriptions of colour for many species are drawn from preserved specimens: otherwise this book is to be recommended if you can obtain a copy. We acknowledge our debt to this book for the details given in this section.

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