Common Purple-glossed Snake
Amblyodipsas polylepis
Silhouette: SeismicShrimp · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyAtractaspididae (Atractaspidid Snakes)
- GenusAmblyodipsas (Purple-glossed Snakes)
- SpeciesAmblyodipsas polylepis (Common Purple-glossed Snake)
About the Common Purple-glossed Snake
Amblyodipsas polylepis, or the common purple-glossed snake, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the Atractaspididae family. It is endemic to the eastern and northern regions of southern Africa. More specifically, it is found in Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Republic of South Africa, Tanzania, coastal Kenya, and Somalia.
Dorsal scales smooth, without pits, arranged in 21 rows, which is more than any other species of Amblyodipsas as the specific epithet, polylepis, implies. Ventrals 163–212; anal divided; subcaudals 16–27, divided. In every other respect scalation is like Amblyodipsas unicolor.
Completely blackish brown. Total length 40 cm (15+3⁄4 in); tail 23 mm (7⁄8 in). This species has been recorded to prey upon Monopeltis luandae, as well as other genera of Amphisbaenidae such as Zygaspis. Notes Bibliography
Bocage, J.V.B. 1873. Melanges herpétologiques. II. Sur quelques reptiles et batraciens nouveaux, rares ou peu connus d'Afrique occidentale. Journ. Acad. Sci. Lisboa 4:209-227. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Common Purple-glossed Snake in Etosha National Park
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iSimangaliso Wetland Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Waterberg Plateau Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 4 | Ruaha National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 5 | Hwange National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 6 | Etosha National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia |