kids encyclopedia robot

Dolichophis schmidti facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Dolichophis schmidti
Dolichophis schmidti05.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Dolichophis
Species:
schmidti
Synonyms
  • Coluber schmidti
    Nikolsky, 1909
  • Coluber jugularis schmidti
    — L. Müller, 1939
  • Hierophis schmidti
    — Schätti, 1988
  • Dolichophis schmidti
    — Nagy et al., 2004

Dolichophis schmidti, known commonly as the red-bellied racer and Schmidt's whip snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Western Asia.

Geographic range

D. schmidti is found in the Caucasus and the Middle East, from Dagestan to Turkmenistan and south into Syria, Jordan, and northern Iran.

Habitat

D. schmidti occurs in a wide variety of habitats including rocky, stony and bushy river banks, deserts, semi-deserts, rocky outcrops, hillsides, montane steppe, cultivated fields, gardens, vineyards and other rural areas, from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). It can occur close to human habitation and tolerates human disturbance.

Diet

D. schmidti is often observed near to large colonies of rodents on which it preys. It also preys on lizards, birds, and snakes.

Reproduction

Adult females of D. schmidti lay clutches of between 5 and 11 eggs.

Etymology

The specific name, schmidti, is in honor of Russian ichthyologist Petr Yulevich Schmidt.

kids search engine
Dolichophis schmidti Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.