Polemon (genus)
| Polemon | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Atractaspididae |
| Subfamily: | Aparallactinae |
| Genus: |
Polemon Jan, 1858 |
| Synonyms | |
|
Miodon Duméril, 1859 |
|
Miodon Duméril, 1859
Polemon is a genus of rear-fanged venomous snakes endemic to Africa. Thirteen species are recognized.
The common name of this genus is snake-eaters, for their habit of feeding mainly on smaller snakes.
The maxillary is very short, with three small teeth, followed, after an interspace, by a very large, grooved fang situated anterior to the eye. The third and fourth mandibular teeth are large and fang-like. The head is small, and not distinct from neck. The eyes are minute, with round pupils. The nostrils are in a divided nasal which does not touch the rostral, the internasal forms a suture with the first upper labial. No loreal is present. The parietal is narrowly in contact with an upper labial.
This snake's body is cylindrical, with a very short tail. Dorsal scales are smooth, without apical pits, and are arranged in 15 rows. The ventrals are rounded; the subcaudals are single (entire), or double (divided).
*) Not including the nominate subspecies.
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