Rhabdophis tigrinus
Tiger Snake ( Rhabdophis tigrinus )
The Tiger Snake ( Rhabdophis tigrinus ), also referred to as Yamakagashi, one within the family of snakes ( Colubridae ) to the genus Rhabdophis. Was first described the species in 1826 by the German zoologist Heinrich Boie.
Description
The tiger snake is a medium sized snake and is between 60 and 70 (maximum 130) inches long. The pupils are round. The head is barely away from the body. The body has an olive to gray-brown ground color with black and reddish orange transverse bands, the head is mottled dark. The underside is whitish. The upper jaw of the Tiger snake has rear standing, extended fangs ( opistoglyphe tooth position ) with lateral grooves on what characterizes the species as deceptive snake.
Snake venom
The Tiger snake has a hump-shaped gland in the neck area, in which a poison, which consists mainly of Bufadienoliden is stored. This neck gland has no secretory epithelial cells, is therefore not in a position to produce himself toxins (toxins ). Rather, it serves as a storage apparatus for toxins, which the snake toad Bufo japonicus mainly on the, one of their prey, refers forming toxins. Tiger snakes in areas without toads (eg on the island Kinkazan ) have no bufadienolides. These are the findings US-Japan research was led by Deborah Hutchinson ( Old Dominion University, Virginia).
Besides Bufadienoliden thrombin activating substances are detectable, which, however, made of snake itself. They cause a prokoagulative ( procoagulant ) effect of the toxin mixture, whereby the body's own clotting factors are used up and thus the clotting ability of the blood is eventually reduced. There is a specific effective antivenin (anti- Yamakagashi Antivenom, Japan Snake Institute), which acts within a few hours against the coagulation disorders. You may also Hämorrhagine are included in the venom of the tiger snake, which could lead to internal bleeding.
Bite accidents involving people are often run but rarely dangerous. Nevertheless, it is to be expected in some cases severe symptoms. Symptoms range from local symptoms ( swelling, pain ) of a headache to unconsciousness. The death can result from a shock, infrequently, acute renal failure, occur. At least three deaths are due to the tiger snake.
Way of life
The Tiger snake performs a nocturnal ground-dwelling and lifestyle. It is semi -aquatic, so often keeps the water on. During the day it hides in various hiding places. It feeds primarily on anurans ( Anura ). Especially young snakes also prey on fish. The species propagates through oviparity ( oviparous ). The nest may comprise 18 to 25 eggs.
System
The genus Rhabdophis was temporarily declared invalid and their associated species of the genus Natrix, the tiger snake was listed as Natrix tigrina. Meanwhile, the genus is valid again.
Rhabdophis tigrinus is divided into two subspecies:
- Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus ( Boie, 1826)
- Rhabdophis tigrinus formosanus ( Maki, 1931)
Occurrence
The tiger snake is in the southern and western China, eastern Russia, North and South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and Japan spread. Rhabdophis tigrinus formosanus is endemic to Taiwan. The habitat of various wetlands, especially wet meadows, rice fields and vegetation-rich environments near water.