Re: This is Winston........
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Aeries
Wow, amazing! Are there any other elapids that are rear-fanged or is the potiential change in classification based on the level of toxicity and the venom structure?
Taxonomy is constantly changing - mainly due to the fact that a great deal of the current taxonomic classifications were based on some weird defining characteristics.
Case in point, texas indigos were originally classified as spilotes and later changed to drymarchon.
Historically, the colubrids are a family in which anything that wasn't a viper or elapid was placed. Genetic testing is clearing up the picture and the psammophinae, of which rhamphiophis are a member - are more closely related to elapidae - specifically cobras than to the rest of the colubridae family. They have very large venom glands, relatively large fangs and a lot of behavioral similarities.
Also, the venoms of these snakes are as complex as elapids and are true venoms - none of this toxic saliva crap bandied about.
To answer your question, all elapids are front fanged bit there are variations in mobility, size etc. On the same token, dentition on rear-fanged colubrids varies greatly - from highly mobile big rear fangs with compressor muscles (boomslangs) to smaller fixed rear teeth (hydrodynastes).
Re: This is Winston........
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Skiploder
I have never seen anything but a docile rhamp - be it rubropunctatus, acutus or rostratus.
I have four R. rubropunctatus and they are quickly becoming one of my favorite snakes.
Have you actually worked with R. acutus? They were on African exporter's lists back in 2008 but none came in as far as I know.
Re: This is Winston........
OMG what a beautiful animal. Love the salmonish color.
