Guinea snake-eater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guinea snake-eater |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Polemon
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| Species: |
barthii
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The Polemon barthii, also known as the Guinea snake-eater, is a type of mildly venomous snake. It has fangs located at the back of its mouth. This snake belongs to the family called Atractaspididae. It is found only in Africa, meaning it is endemic to that continent.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The second part of the snake's scientific name, barthii, was chosen to honor a German explorer named Heinrich Barth.
Where Does It Live?
The Guinea snake-eater can be found in several countries in Africa. These include Cameroon, Guinea, and Ivory Coast.
Its Home and Habitat
This snake prefers to live in forest areas. It can be found from sea level up to about 600 m (2,000 ft) (around 1,968 feet) high.
What Does It Look Like?
From above, the Polemon barthii is olive-gray in color. The edges of its scales often have a black outline. The back of its head is a yellowish-white color. Its underside is also yellowish-white.
Adult Guinea snake-eaters can grow to be about 81 cm (31+7⁄8 in) (about 32 inches) long in total. This includes its tail, which is usually around 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) (about 1.6 inches) long.
The snake's scales are smooth and do not have tiny pits. There are usually 15 rows of scales around the middle of its body.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The Polemon barthii is an oviparous snake. This means that the female snake lays eggs.
