Philothamnus battersbyi | |
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adult | |
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juvenile | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Philothamnus |
Species: | P. battersbyi
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Binomial name | |
Philothamnus battersbyi | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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Philothamnus battersbyi, also known commonly as Battersby's green snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to northeastern Africa.
The specific name, battersbyi, is in honor of British herpetologist James Clarence Battersby (1901–1993). [3]
P. battersbyi is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. [2]
P. battersbyi is found in a variety of natural habitats close to water, including forest, savanna, grassland, and freshwater wetlands, at altitudes from sea level to 2,600 m (8,500 ft). [1] It has also been found in polluted streams in major cities. [1]
The holotype of P. battersbyi, an adult female, has a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 76.2 cm (30.0 in) and a tail length of 28.3 centimetres (11.1 in). [4]
P. battersbyi is arboreal [1] [2] and diurnal. [1]
P. battersbyi preys upon amphibians, which may include caecilians, frogs, and toads. [1]
P. battersbyi is oviparous. [2] Clutch size is 3–11 eggs. Some communal nesting has been observed, with as many as 40 adult females laying over 100 eggs together in one nest. [1]