Tachymenis
Encyclopedia
Tachymenis is a genus
of venomous snake
s belonging to the family Colubridae. They are commonly known as slender snakes or short-tailed snakes and are primarily found in southern South America
. Tachymenis are capable of producing a medically significant bite
, with at least one species, T. peruviana, responsible for human fatalities.
:
Other sources may recognize as much as 17 distinct species:
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of venomous snake
Venomous snake
"Poisonous snake" redirects here. For true poisonous snakes, see Rhabdophis.Venomous snakes are snakes which have venom glands and specialized teeth for the injection of venom...
s belonging to the family Colubridae. They are commonly known as slender snakes or short-tailed snakes and are primarily found in southern South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Tachymenis are capable of producing a medically significant bite
Snakebite
A snakebite is an injury caused by a bite from a snake, often resulting in puncture wounds inflicted by the animal's fangs and sometimes resulting in envenomation. Although the majority of snake species are non-venomous and typically kill their prey with constriction rather than venom, venomous...
, with at least one species, T. peruviana, responsible for human fatalities.
Species
The following species are recognized by ITISItis
Itis may refer to* Integrated Taxonomic Information System, a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the taxonomy of biological species...
:
- Tachymenis affinis Boulenger, 1896
- Tachymenis attenuata Walker, 1945
- Tachymenis chilensis (Schlegel, 1837)
- Tachymenis elongata Despax, 1910
- Tachymenis peruviana Wiegmann, 1835
- Tachymenis tarmensis Walker, 1945
Other sources may recognize as much as 17 distinct species:
- Tachymenis affinis (Boulenger's slender snake)
- Tachymenis attenuata (Walker's slender snake)
- Tachymenis bitorquata
- Tachymenis boulengerii
- Tachymenis brasiliensis
- Tachymenis chilensis (Chilean slender snake)
- Tachymenis decipiens
- Tachymenis dromiciformis
- Tachymenis elongata (Depax's slender snake)
- Tachymenis hypoconia
- Tachymenis infralineatus
- Tachymenis melanocephala
- Tachymenis nototaenia
- Tachymenis peruviana (Peru slender snake, Cola Corta Del Perú)
- Tachymenis surinamensis
- Tachymenis taeniata
- Tachymenis tarmensis (Slender snake)