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Care Sheets
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Hognoses |
Species Descriptions
Full
descriptions of the various species of Hognosed snakes |
Photographs
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Malagasy Speckled Hognose (Leioheterodon geayi)
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The Malagasy Speckled Hognosed Snake is one of three species of Xenodonids found in Madagascar. Heavily exported for the pet trade these species are fairly common in the retail market. More common than the blonde but less so than the giant, the speckled hognosed snake is the most colorful of the three.
Widespread habitat destruction in Madagascar has resulted in a reduction of most species of reptiles and amphibians in Madagascar. As a result, it is uncertain how long the Island nation can sustain wild caught exports.
Its overall lack of popularity has no contributed to a preference for wild caught over captive bred specimens and a lack of color morphs on the retail market. Still, there are a few dealers offering captive bred specimens that readilly feed on mice and small rats.
Information on keeping Malagasy Speckled Hognosed snakes can be found here.
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Malagasy Speckled Hognose (Leioheterodon geayi) |
- Species:
- Leioheterodon geayi
- Synonyms:
- Leioheterodon geayi MOCQUARD 1905
Lioheterodon voeltzkowi BOETTGER 1913
- Subspecies:
-
- Family:
- Serpentes: Colubridae
- Distribution:
- Madagascar
- Habitat
- Malagasy Speckled Hognose snakes are found throughout the undeveloped portions of Madagascar occupying sandy soils of the short grass, mixed grass, xeric and tropical forests of the island. Found frequently at both the Perinet and Berenty Reserve, Malagasy Speckled Hognoses also frequent the west central coast and can be observed commonly in the Kirindy Forest near Morondavia.
Speckled Hognoses prefer hotter weather than the other Malagasy Hognoses, often present when temperatures exceed 95 degrees. As with the other Malagasy Hognoses, Speckled Hognoses may remain inactive for long periods during the rainy season coming out only to search for food. Speckled Hognoses may be active during any portion of the day foraging for lizards and amphibians along sandy roadsides.
- References:
- Glaw, F. & Vences,M. (1994)
A Fieldguide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar
Vences & Glaw Verlag, Köln (ISBN 3-929449-01-3)
- Love, Bill (1997)
Madagascar Revisited: Part Two, pp. 8-27, Reptiles Magazine
- Definition:
- A medium bodied species reaching up to four feet tail length for both males and females. The ground color is reddish or light brown dorsally with reddish brown edging on the scales alternating with white tipping on the scales presenting a speckled appearance. The color may intensify toward the tail creating a reddish brown coloration from just forward of the vent to the tail tip. Coloration shifts from reddish brown to white or cream along the lateral axis to the ventral surface. The head is patterned with reddish brown and white mottling on the scales with the parietal being white, cream, reddish brown or brown, often with a black center.
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