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Leioheterodon madagascariensis

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA CHORDATA REPTILIA SQUAMATA PSEUDOXYRHOPHIIDAE

Scientific Name: Leioheterodon madagascariensis
Species Authority: (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854)
Common Name/s:
English – Malagasy Giant Hognose Snake
Synonym/s:
Heterodon madagascariensis Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published: 2011
Assessor/s: Raxworthy, C.J. & Hawlitschek, O.
Reviewer/s: Glaw, F., Cox, N.A. & Bowles, P.
Contributor/s:
Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large overall population, and because it presumably has a stable population.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: This snake is endemic to Madagascar, where it is widespread throughout the island (Glaw and Vences 2007). An introduced population of this species occupies a small area on Grande Comoro island (Meirte 2004), but this population is apparently not extensive and its continued persistence has not been confirmed recently.
Countries:
Native:
Madagascar
Introduced:
Comoros
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:

This is a rather common species in both native and anthropogenic habitats (Glaw and Vences 2007).
Population Trend: Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:

This large diurnal, terrestrial snake uses a wide range of habitats, including varied artificial settings as well as native humid and dry forest, shrubland and grassland. It preys on small birds, rodents, and reptile eggs.

Systems: Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): There are no known threats to this species, which appears highly tolerant of forest degradation.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions: This widespread species is present in a range of protected areas throughout Madagascar.
Citation: Raxworthy, C.J. & Hawlitschek, O. 2011. Leioheterodon madagascariensis. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 May 2013.
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