Atractaspididae: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Family of snakes}} | {{Short description|Family of snakes}} | ||
{{Automatic taxobox | {{Automatic taxobox | ||
| fossil_range = [[Pliocene]] - Present,<ref> https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=360109&is_real_user=1</ref> {{fossil range|4.1|0}} | | fossil_range = [[Pliocene]] - Present,<ref>https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=360109&is_real_user=1 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2025}}</ref> {{fossil range|4.1|0}} | ||
| image = Atractaspis engaddensis.jpg | | image = Atractaspis engaddensis.jpg | ||
| image_caption = ''Atractaspis engaddensis'' | | image_caption = ''Atractaspis engaddensis'' | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
==Venom== | ==Venom== | ||
Many of these snakes are inoffensive or far too small to envenomate a person effectively. However, some can inflict severe [[tissue necrosis]]; e.g. if the victim's thumb is bitten, the tip of that digit may be lost. Relapses may occur long after the bite.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/p31K9gfBev8 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20091115044040/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p31K9gfBev8 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p31K9gfBev8| title = I Was Bitten - Flesh Eating Snakebite | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/hSx1fiLVxLs Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160313034854/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSx1fiLVxLs Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSx1fiLVxLs| title = Stiletto Snake | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{ | Many of these snakes are inoffensive or far too small to envenomate a person effectively. However, some can inflict severe [[tissue necrosis]]; e.g. if the victim's thumb is bitten, the tip of that digit may be lost. Relapses may occur long after the bite.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/p31K9gfBev8 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20091115044040/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p31K9gfBev8 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p31K9gfBev8| title = I Was Bitten - Flesh Eating Snakebite | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/hSx1fiLVxLs Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160313034854/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSx1fiLVxLs Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSx1fiLVxLs| title = Stiletto Snake | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{medical citation needed|date=March 2024}} The bites of stiletto snakes are often exceptionally painful.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/snake-stab-sideways-fangs-mouth-1360202|title=Snake That Can Stab Sideways With Fangs Sticking Out Corner of Its Mouth Discovered|date=March 12, 2019|accessdate=April 19, 2024|website=[[Newsweek]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com/articles/beware-of-the-stiletto-snake/|title=Beware of the Stiletto Snake - African Snakebite Institute|accessdate=April 19, 2024|website=African Snakebite Institute}}</ref> | ||
Very few deaths have resulted from accidents with these snakes, although large individuals of ''[[Atractaspis microlepidota]]'' and other long-glanded species are very likely to be dangerous.<ref>Atractaspididae at the TIGR Reptile Database</ref> Some of the long-fanged species are able to stab their prey (or an unfortunate human) even while their mouths are closed, and the typical grasp used by [[herpetologist]]s to securely hold venomous snakes is not safe for this group.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kurnik |first1=Daniel |last2=Haviv |first2=Yael |last3=Kochva |first3=Elazar |date=1999 |title=A snake bite by the Burrowing Asp, Atractaspis engaddensis |journal=Toxicon |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=223–227 |doi=10.1016/S0041-0101(98)00166-4 |pmid=9920494|bibcode=1999Txcn...37..223K }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Deufel |first1=Alexandra |last2=Cundall |first2=David |date=2003 |title=Feeding in Atractaspis (Serpentes: Atractaspididae): a study in conflicting functional constraints |url=https://www.kingsnake.com/aho/pdf/menu3/deufel2003.pdf |journal=Zoology |volume=106 |issue=1 |pages=43–61 |doi=10.1078/0944-2006-00088 |pmid=16351890|bibcode=2003Zool..106...43D }}</ref> This ability to stab sideways even with a closed mouth is the basis for an English name used for some of them: "side-stabbing snakes" or "side-stabbers".<ref name="SB95"/> | Very few deaths have resulted from accidents with these snakes, although large individuals of ''[[Atractaspis microlepidota]]'' and other long-glanded species are very likely to be dangerous.<ref>Atractaspididae at the TIGR Reptile Database</ref> Some of the long-fanged species are able to stab their prey (or an unfortunate human) even while their mouths are closed, and the typical grasp used by [[herpetologist]]s to securely hold venomous snakes is not safe for this group.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kurnik |first1=Daniel |last2=Haviv |first2=Yael |last3=Kochva |first3=Elazar |date=1999 |title=A snake bite by the Burrowing Asp, Atractaspis engaddensis |journal=Toxicon |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=223–227 |doi=10.1016/S0041-0101(98)00166-4 |pmid=9920494|bibcode=1999Txcn...37..223K }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Deufel |first1=Alexandra |last2=Cundall |first2=David |date=2003 |title=Feeding in Atractaspis (Serpentes: Atractaspididae): a study in conflicting functional constraints |url=https://www.kingsnake.com/aho/pdf/menu3/deufel2003.pdf |journal=Zoology |volume=106 |issue=1 |pages=43–61 |doi=10.1078/0944-2006-00088 |pmid=16351890|bibcode=2003Zool..106...43D }}</ref> This ability to stab sideways even with a closed mouth is the basis for an English name used for some of them: "side-stabbing snakes" or "side-stabbers".<ref name="SB95"/> | ||
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== Gallery == | == Gallery == | ||
<gallery class="center"> | <gallery class="center"> | ||
File:Amblyodipsas microphthalma.jpg|''Amblyodipsas'' [[type species]]; eastern purple-glossed snake ([[Amblyodipsas microphthalma|A. microphthalma]]) | File:Amblyodipsas microphthalma.jpg|''Amblyodipsas'' [[type species]]; eastern purple-glossed snake (''[[Amblyodipsas microphthalma|A. microphthalma]]'') | ||
File:Aparallactus capensis.jpg|''Aparallactus'' type species; Cape centipede-eater ([[Aparallactus capensis|A. capensis]]) | File:Aparallactus capensis.jpg|''Aparallactus'' type species; Cape centipede-eater (''[[Aparallactus capensis|A. capensis]]'') | ||
File:Atractaspis bibronii full body.jpg|''Atractaspis'' type species; southern stiletto snake ([[Atractaspis bibronii|A. bibronii]]) | File:Atractaspis bibronii full body.jpg|''Atractaspis'' type species; southern stiletto snake (''[[Atractaspis bibronii|A. bibronii]]'') | ||
File:Homoroselaps lacteus.jpg|''Homoroselaps'' type species; spotted harlequin snake ([[Homoroselaps lacteus|H. lacteus]]) | File:Homoroselaps lacteus.jpg|''Homoroselaps'' type species; spotted harlequin snake (''[[Homoroselaps lacteus|H. lacteus]]'') | ||
File:Macrelaps microlepidotus head.jpg|''Macrelaps'' type species; Natal black snake ([[Macrelaps|M. microlepidotus]]) | File:Macrelaps microlepidotus head.jpg|''Macrelaps'' type species; Natal black snake (''[[Macrelaps microlepidotus|M. microlepidotus]]'') | ||
File:מחרוזן הטבעות (דו-גוני).jpg|''Micrelaps'' type species; Müller's snake ([[Micrelaps muelleri|M. muelleri]]) | File:מחרוזן הטבעות (דו-גוני).jpg|''Micrelaps'' type species; Müller's snake (''[[Micrelaps muelleri|M. muelleri]]'') | ||
File:Xenocalamus bicolor.jpg|''Xenocalamus'' type species; slender quill-snouted snake ([[Xenocalamus bicolor|X. bicolor]]) | File:Xenocalamus bicolor.jpg|''Xenocalamus'' type species; slender quill-snouted snake (''[[Xenocalamus bicolor|X. bicolor]]'') | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| Line 130: | Line 130: | ||
{{Commons category}} | {{Commons category}} | ||
* {{NRDB family|page=atractaspidinae.php|family=Atractaspidinae|date=3 November|year=2008}} | * {{NRDB family|page=atractaspidinae.php|family=Atractaspidinae|date=3 November|year=2008}} | ||
* [ | * [https://snakesarelong.blogspot.com/2012/08/stiletto-snakes.html Atractaspids at Life is Short but Snakes are Long] | ||
* [http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2008/05/26/sidestabbing-stiletto-snakes/ Stiletto snakes at Tetrapod Zoology] | * [http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2008/05/26/sidestabbing-stiletto-snakes/ Stiletto snakes at Tetrapod Zoology] | ||
* [https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1148893-Atractaspididae iNaturalist link] | * [https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1148893-Atractaspididae iNaturalist link] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:13, 26 October 2025
Template:Short description Template:Automatic taxobox
The Atractaspididae (atractaspidids) are a family of venomous snakes[1] found in Africa and the Middle East, commonly called mole vipers, stiletto snakes, or burrowing asps. Currently, 12 genera are recognized.[2]
Description
This family includes many genera formerly classed in other families and subfamilies, on the basis of fang type. It includes fangless (aglyphous), rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous), fixed-fanged (proteroglyphous), and viper-like (solenoglyphous) species. Early molecular and physiological data linking this subfamily to others were ambiguous and often contradictory, which means the taxonomy of this subfamily has been highly contentious. The nominate family, Atractaspididae, has itself been moved to and from other taxa, such as potentially forming a trichotomy with Elapidae and Colubridae,[3] reinforcing the ambiguity of this subfamily.
Geographic range
This subfamily is found in Africa and the Middle East.[4][5][6][7]
Venom
Many of these snakes are inoffensive or far too small to envenomate a person effectively. However, some can inflict severe tissue necrosis; e.g. if the victim's thumb is bitten, the tip of that digit may be lost. Relapses may occur long after the bite.[8][9]Template:Medical citation needed The bites of stiletto snakes are often exceptionally painful.[10][11]
Very few deaths have resulted from accidents with these snakes, although large individuals of Atractaspis microlepidota and other long-glanded species are very likely to be dangerous.[12] Some of the long-fanged species are able to stab their prey (or an unfortunate human) even while their mouths are closed, and the typical grasp used by herpetologists to securely hold venomous snakes is not safe for this group.[13][14] This ability to stab sideways even with a closed mouth is the basis for an English name used for some of them: "side-stabbing snakes" or "side-stabbers".[5]
Genera
| Subfamily Atractaspidinae -- 13 Genera | ||||
| Genus[2] | Taxon author[2] | Species Count[2] |
Common name | Geographic range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amblyodipsas | W. Peters, 1857 | 9 | glossy snakes | Africa |
| Aparallactus | A. Smith, 1849 | 11 | centipede-eaters | Africa |
| Atractaspis | A. Smith, 1849 | 15 | burrowing asps, stiletto snakes[2] | Africa, Middle-East |
| Brachyophis | Mocquard, 1888 | 1 | Revoil's short snake | Africa |
| Chilorhinophis | F. Werner, 1907 | 3 | Africa | |
| Hypoptophis | Boulenger, 1908 | 1 | African bighead snake | Africa |
| Homoroselaps[15] | Jan, 1858 | 2 | harlequin snakes | Southern Africa |
| Macrelaps | Boulenger, 1896 | 1 | Natal black snake | Africa |
| Micrelaps | Boettger, 1880 | 4 | two-headed snakes | Africa, Middle-East |
| Poecilopholis | Boulenger, 1903 | 1 | Cameroon racer | Africa |
| Polemon | Jan, 1858 | 13 | snake-eaters | Africa |
| Xenocalamus | Günther, 1868 | 5 | quill-snouted snakes | Africa |
Taxonomy
This family was previously classified as a subfamily of the Colubridae: the Aparallactinae.[4]
Gallery
-
Amblyodipsas type species; eastern purple-glossed snake (A. microphthalma)
-
Aparallactus type species; Cape centipede-eater (A. capensis)
-
Atractaspis type species; southern stiletto snake (A. bibronii)
-
Homoroselaps type species; spotted harlequin snake (H. lacteus)
-
Macrelaps type species; Natal black snake (M. microlepidotus)
-
Micrelaps type species; Müller's snake (M. muelleri)
-
Xenocalamus type species; slender quill-snouted snake (X. bicolor)
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See also
References
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- ↑ a b Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. Template:ISBN.
- ↑ a b Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. Template:ISBN.
- ↑ Parker HW, Grandison AGC. 1977. Snakes -- a natural history. Second Edition. British Museum (Natural History) and Cornell University Press. 108 pp. 16 plates. Template:LCCN. Template:ISBN (cloth), Template:ISBN (paper).
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
- ↑ Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Atractaspididae at the TIGR Reptile Database
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External links
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- Atractaspidinae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 November 2008.
- Atractaspids at Life is Short but Snakes are Long
- Stiletto snakes at Tetrapod Zoology
- iNaturalist link
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