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Arnhem shovel-nosed snake

Arnhem shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis morrisi)
Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory
Photo © Peter Street
Brachyurophis morrisi - (Horner, 1998)
Pronunciation  BRACK-ee-your-OH-fis   MORR-iss-ee
Etymology  Brachyurophis: 'short-tailed snake'
morrisi: after Ian James Morris, naturalist and author, who first collected this species in 1970.
Other names  Simoselaps sp. - photo 817 in Wilson & Knowles (1988)1
Simoselaps morrisi
 
 
Total length
Species avg: 23 cm
Reproduction
Oviparous
Clutch size
Length and clutch size information comes from a variety of sources, but primarily from Shine (1991) and Cogger (2000).
Description Distribution Natural history Conservation Further information More photos

Description

A relatively small, orange-brown snake. Patterning consists of a broad, dark band across the nape and dark mottling between the eyes, but otherwise the body is unbanded; however, body scales are often dark-edged, giving the animal a faintly reticulated appearance.

Similar species

B. morrisi differs from all other Brachyurophis, with the exception of B. incinctus, by the complete lack of banding on the body.
Unbanded shovel-nosed snake (Brachyurophis incinctus) - is known only from further south; possesses a prominent dark band across head, which is reduced in B. morrisi.
At a glance, this species superficially resembles baby brown snakes (Pseudonaja spp.), as well as snakes of the genus Furina, and the robust burrowing snake (Antaioserpens albiceps) and black-naped snake (Neelaps bimaculatus). Brachyurophis morrisi, as well as all Brachyurophis, can be distinguished from these snakes by its protruding, wedge-shaped rostral scale.

Taxonomic notes

This species was described by Horner in 1998, but was originally placed in a different genus.2

Scale count information


Dorsal scales at midbody   15
Ventrals   138 to 141 with a divided anal scale
Subcaudals   20 to 21 and are divided
Other scale information   6 supralabials
5 gular scale rows
Danger rating   Probably virtually harmless.
Note: even a bite from a 'virtually harmless' or non-venomous reptile can result in serious complications. Play it safe and don't get bitten by anything.
Notes and disclaimer
This information may not be complete. While all care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this page, primary sources should always be consulted for definitive information. Animals have an endearing habit of disobeying the rules, so the information on this page should be interpreted with a degree of flexibility.
The author and site operator accepts no responsibility for any losses or damages incurred through using this web site or the information contained herein. Don't get bitten by anything!
This page may be cited as:
  Brachyurophis morrisi at the Australian Reptile Online Database. Last updated 2017-04-15 13:14:49.
  Retrieved from http://arod.com.au/arod/?species=Brachyurophis+morrisi on the 29th of March, 2024.
Before citing information contained in AROD, please read our Citing AROD page.

Copyright notice
This page, its content and layout are copyright © 2007-2024 Stewart Macdonald / Ug Media, unless otherwise stated.
All photographs in The Australian Reptile Online Database are © the photographer and may not be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the photographer.
No part of The Australian Reptile Online Database may be reproduced without written permission from Stewart Macdonald.
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