Ptyas

Ptyas
Ptyas mucosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Colubrinae
Genus: Ptyas
Fitzinger, 1843
Species

13, see text

Synonyms
  • Cyclophiops Boulenger, 1888
  • Zaocys Cope, 1860

Ptyas is a genus of colubrid snakes. This genus is one of several colubrid genera colloquially called "rat snakes" or "ratsnakes".

The generic name derives from Ancient Greek πτυάς, meaning "spitter", which referred to a kind of snake believed to spit venom in the eyes of humans, although in reality none of the Ptyas are known to spit venom.

Species

13 species are recognized:

References

  1. 1 2 Ptyas at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 9 March 2021.
  2. ↑ "Ptyas dhumnades - Big-eyed Ratsnake".
  3. ↑ "πτυάς". Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  4. ↑ David, P.; Vogel, G. (1996). The Snakes of Sumatra: An Annotated Checklist and Key with Natural History Notes. Edition Chimaira. Ed. Chimaira. p. 104. ISBN 978-3-930612-08-6. Retrieved 10 June 2019. Coluber dhumnades Cantor, 1842 by original designation. Was synonymised with Ptyas by Wall (1923b) and Taylor (1965).
  5. ↑ Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 162. ISBN 978-1-4214-0227-7. Retrieved 10 June 2019.

Further reading