Diadem snake (Spalerosophis diadema)

Description

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Diadem snake fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Diadem snake description

The diadem snake (Spalerosophis diadema) is named for its distinctive head markings, consisting of a dark band, which runs across the head between the eyes, behind which several irregular, dark spots may be present ^{(2) (3)}.

The background colouration of the head and body varies between individuals and subspecies, but is usually greyish, yellowish, sandy-beige or reddish. A series of dark brown, olive or reddish blotches runs down the middle of the spine, which fuse into a dark stripe at the neck. In addition, the flanks are marked on either side with a row of smaller dark spots ^{(2) (3) (4)}. The head is elongated and slightly triangular, with a rounded snout and large eyes featuring circular pupils ⁽²⁾.

While there are several different geographically separated forms of the diadem snake, which vary in size and exhibit different colouration and markings, the taxonomy is disputed; hence the exact number of subspecies is unclear ^{(2) (4)}.

Size

Length: up to 180 cm ⁽²⁾

Diadem snake biology

An active predator, the diadem snake predominantly feeds on rodents, throwing a loop of its body over its prey to immobilise it, before delivering a suffocating bite with its powerful jaws ⁽⁴⁾. Like some other Colubrid snakes, this species also produces chemical secretions from an oral gland, which are highly toxic to small mammals, but pose no danger to humans ^{(2) (7)}. In addition to rodents, the diadem snake is also known to prey upon lizards such as agamas, and occasionally on small birds ⁽²⁾. When threatened this species is known to inflate and thrash its body, hiss and make rapid strikes ^{(2) (4)}.

The diadem snake changes its activity period according to the season. It is diurnal during the winter, autumn and spring, but becomes nocturnal and crepuscular during the summer, resting amongst stones, loose rocks, desert plant roots or in rodent burrows during the day to avoid the extreme heat ^{(2) (8)}.

Diadem snake courtship takes place in spring, with the females laying between 3 and 16 eggs, around 67 days after mating. Usually only one clutch is laid per year, but occasionally two separate clutches are produced, the first in early June and the second in early September. Incubation normally lasts for around 60 days, with the young born measuring between 36 and 42 centimetres in length ⁽²⁾.

Diadem snake range

The diadem snake has a large distribution, occurring throughout northern Africa from Mauritania to Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula, and southwest and central Asia, as far as Kazakhstan, Pakistan and India ^{(5) (6)}.

Diadem snake habitat

The diadem snake is typically found in arid and semi-arid areas, including stony and sandy desert, and frequently occurs in cultivated areas and palm groves surrounding oases. It can be found from lowland regions to elevations of up to 2,000 metres ⁽²⁾.

Diadem snake status

The diadem snake has yet to be assessed by the IUCN.

Diadem snake threats

While population data for the diadem snake is currently lacking, it appears to be common in some areas, such as the Karakum Desert, Turkmenistan ⁽⁵⁾, but rare in others, such as the United Arab Emirates ⁽³⁾.

Diadem snake conservation

Due to the fact that it preys upon rodents, the diadem snake is recognised as being beneficial to cultivation. It has therefore been recommended that this species should be protected ⁽⁹⁾.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Find out more

To learn more about reptile conservation visit: 

• International Reptile Conservation Foundation:
  www.ircf.org

Authentication

Authenticated (01/10/11) by Olivier S.G. Pauwels, Research Associate at the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium.
http://www.pauwelsolivier.com/

Glossary

Crepuscular

Active at dusk and/or dawn.

Diurnal

Active during the day.

Gland

An organ that makes and secretes substances used by the body.

Incubate

To keep eggs warm so that development is possible.

Nocturnal

Active at night.

Subspecies

A population usually restricted to a geographical area that differs from other populations of the same species, but not to the extent of being classified as a separate species.

Taxonomy

The science of classifying organisms, grouping together animals which share common features and are thought to have a common ancestor.

References

1. Species 2000 ITIS Catalogue of Life (August, 2009)
   http://www.catalogueoflife.org/
2. Schleich, H.H., Kästle, W. and Kabisch, K. (1996) Amphibians and Reptiles of North Africa: Biology, Systematics, Field Guide. Koeltz Scientific Books, Koenigstein, Germany.
3. Hellyer, P. and Aspinall, S. (2005) The Emirates: A Natural History. Trident Press Limited, London.
4. Bartlett, R.D. and Bartlett, P.P. (1996) Corn and Rat Snakes. Barron's Educational Series, New York.
5. Ananjeva, N.B., Orlov, N.L., Khalikov, R.G., Darevsky, I.S. and Barabanov, A. (2006) The Reptiles of Northern Eurasia: Taxonomic Diversity, Distribution, Conservation Status. Pensoft Publishers, Sofia, Bulgaria.
6. The Reptile Database (March, 2012)
   http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Spalerosophis&species=diadema&search_param=%28%28taxon%3D%27Colubridae%27%29%29
7. Mackessy, S.P. (2002) Biochemistry and pharmacology of colubrid snake venoms. Journal of Toxicology: Toxin Reviews, 21: 43-83.
8. Lahav, S. and Dmi'el, R. (1996) Skin resistance to water loss in colubrid snakes: ecological and taxonomical correlations. Écoscience, 3: 135-139.
9. Firouz, E. (2005) The Complete Fauna of Iran. I.B.Tauris, London.