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MATO GROSSO BURROWING SNAKE Phalotris matogrossensis
Subterranean by design, this boldly-marked snake is rarely seen. In fact it is a recently described species, split from the more widespread Tricoloured Burrowing Snake Phalotris tricolor. This species is generally associated with cerrado habitats in north-eastern Paraguay but can be relatively easily distinguished from P.tricolor by concentrating on two characteristics. First note that the black neck band of matogrossensis is thinner than or equal in length to the yellowish neck band - it is much longer in tricolor; Second note that the white neck band extends forwards slightly at the sides in this species and not in tricolor.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
 | FIGURE 1 |
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 | FIGURE 2 |
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FIGURE 1 - (FPREP388PH) Adult, location unknown (Ulf Drechsel www.pybio.org).
FIGURE 2 - (FPREP389PH) Same individual head detail (Ulf Drechsel www.pybio.org).
