Telescopus hoogstraali facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Telescopus hoogstraali |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Telescopus |
| Species: |
T. hoogstraali
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| Binomial name | |
| Telescopus hoogstraali Schmidt & Marx, 1956
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| Synonyms | |
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The Hoogstraal's cat snake (Telescopus hoogstraali), also known as the Sinai cat snake, is a type of snake found in the Middle East. This snake is an endangered species, which means it is at a high risk of disappearing forever if we don't protect it. It belongs to the family called Colubridae, which is a large group of snakes.
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What's in a Name?
The scientific name for this snake, hoogstraali, was given to honor a famous American scientist. His name was Harry Hoogstraal, and he studied insects and parasites.
What Does It Look Like?
The Hoogstraal's cat snake has a black head and neck. Its eyes are quite small and have pupils that look like a cat's eye – they are vertical slits. The snake's belly is grey and has black spots all over it.
Where Does It Live?
This special snake lives in the Middle East. You can find it in the Sinai area, which is part of Egypt and Israel. It also lives in Jordan.
In Egypt, it has been seen in places like Santa Catarina and Gebel Maghara in the northern Sinai Peninsula. In Israel, it is only found in the Negev Desert. There's also one city in Jordan where it's known to live, called Petra.
What Kind of Home Does It Like?
The Hoogstraal's cat snake likes to live in dry, rocky places. It can be found in natural habitats like dry shrublands or dry grasslands. It also lives in hot deserts. These snakes can be found at high places, sometimes as high as 1,500 meters (about 4,900 feet) above sea level.
How Does It Move Around?
This snake is terrestrial, which means it lives and moves around on the ground. It doesn't usually climb trees or spend time in water.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The Hoogstraal's cat snake is oviparous. This means that the female snake lays eggs, and the baby snakes hatch from these eggs.
Why Is It Endangered?
The Hoogstraal's cat snake is an endangered species mainly because of habitat loss. This means that the places where it lives are being damaged or disappearing. When their homes are destroyed, it becomes harder for these snakes to find food, shelter, and places to reproduce, putting their future at risk.
 | John T. Biggers |
 | Thomas Blackshear |
 | Mark Bradford |
 | Beverly Buchanan |
