Gonyosoma
Encyclopedia
Gonyosoma is a genus of colubrid
snakes.
There are a few distinct morphological characteristics that distinguish Gonyosoma from Elaphe
.
In scutellation there are 2-3 supralabials that contact the eye, with typically two in G. oxycephalum,
and three in G. jansenii. The supralabial at the posterior eye is highly arched around the back of the eye.
The loreal scale is thin and elongate, and appears stretched between the preocular and the nasal.
Other diagnostic features include an elongate left rudimentary lung (70-141 mm),
and a distinct hemipenes structure.
These snakes have the ability to laterally compress and inflate the first 3rd of their bodies when threatened.
The inflated region is typically recoiled into an S, which is elevated above the horizontal forming a typical striking position.
The inflation of the body exposes the black and white diagonal bands of the interstitial skin,
which is particularly distinct in G. oxycephalum (Schulz 1996).
In combination these adaptations impose a most ominous threat!
Colubrid
A colubrid is a member of the snake family Colubridae. This broad classification of snakes includes about two-thirds of all snake species on earth. The earliest species of the snake family date back to the Oligocene epoch. With 304 genera and 1,938 species, Colubridae is the largest snake family...
snakes.
There are a few distinct morphological characteristics that distinguish Gonyosoma from Elaphe
Elaphe
Elaphe is one of the main genera of the rat snakes, which are found in many regions of the northern hemisphere. Elaphe are medium to large constrictors by nature....
.
In scutellation there are 2-3 supralabials that contact the eye, with typically two in G. oxycephalum,
and three in G. jansenii. The supralabial at the posterior eye is highly arched around the back of the eye.
The loreal scale is thin and elongate, and appears stretched between the preocular and the nasal.
Other diagnostic features include an elongate left rudimentary lung (70-141 mm),
and a distinct hemipenes structure.
These snakes have the ability to laterally compress and inflate the first 3rd of their bodies when threatened.
The inflated region is typically recoiled into an S, which is elevated above the horizontal forming a typical striking position.
The inflation of the body exposes the black and white diagonal bands of the interstitial skin,
which is particularly distinct in G. oxycephalum (Schulz 1996).
In combination these adaptations impose a most ominous threat!