This species was observed at sea level on the southern beaches of Bioko multiple times. They are typically green, this is one of two teal individuals that I saw. Any one know what species it is?
Bioko Snake ID (Equatorial Guinea)
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Curtis Hart
- Posts: 595
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:07 pm
- Location: Hillsdale County, Michigan
Re: Bioko Snake ID (Equatorial Guinea)
I can't help on the id, but wanted to comment on what a beautiful looking snake that is.
John B
John B
Re: Bioko Snake ID (Equatorial Guinea)
Hapsidophrys sp.
I thought of Philothamnus sp. at first, got curious, googled, discovered Hapsidophrys, distinguished from Philothamnus by the strongly keeled dorsal scales visible in your photo, and came across a biotic survey of Bioko - http://www.environment.ucla.edu/ctr/pdfs/CARPE1.PDF. In this survey only Hapsidophrys lineatus is registered. However, judging by the pics I found googling I think your specimen looks more like H. smaragdina, the only other realistic possibility. Of course, googling for snake pics as a means of identification is notoriously unreliable, so if I were you I would find a key to consult
I also chanced upon a paper on the snakes of the two genera on islands further offshore in the Gulf of Guinea - http://www3.uma.pt/abrehm/v1.1/docs/dow ... al2009.pdf
I thought of Philothamnus sp. at first, got curious, googled, discovered Hapsidophrys, distinguished from Philothamnus by the strongly keeled dorsal scales visible in your photo, and came across a biotic survey of Bioko - http://www.environment.ucla.edu/ctr/pdfs/CARPE1.PDF. In this survey only Hapsidophrys lineatus is registered. However, judging by the pics I found googling I think your specimen looks more like H. smaragdina, the only other realistic possibility. Of course, googling for snake pics as a means of identification is notoriously unreliable, so if I were you I would find a key to consult
I also chanced upon a paper on the snakes of the two genera on islands further offshore in the Gulf of Guinea - http://www3.uma.pt/abrehm/v1.1/docs/dow ... al2009.pdf
- Curtis Hart
- Posts: 595
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:07 pm
- Location: Hillsdale County, Michigan
Re: Bioko Snake ID (Equatorial Guinea)
Thanks for the quick help. That biological survey missed a lot. I saw several things that were not listed. I was on the island much longer than they were though.
Curtis
Curtis