Achalinus werneri

Achalinus werneri, also known commonly as the Amami odd-scaled snake and the Amami Takachiho snake, is a species of snake in the family Xenodermatidae.^[1][2] The species is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.^[1] There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.^[2]

Achalinus werneri
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Xenodermidae
Genus:	Achalinus
Species:	A. werneri
Binomial name
Achalinus werneri Van Denburgh, 1912
Synonyms
Achalinus loochoensis Thompson, 1912

Etymology

The specific name, werneri, is in honor of Austrian herpetologist Franz Werner.^[3]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of A. werneri are forest, grassland, and freshwater wetlands.^[1]

Description

Dorsally, A. werneri is dark olive; ventrally, it is yellow. It has 88–96 subcaudals.^[2]

Diet

A. werneri preys upon earthworms.^[1]

Reproduction

A. werneri is oviparous.^[2] Clutch size is three to eight eggs.^[1]

Conservation status

In 1996 the species Achalinus werneri was classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN.^[1] This is because its range is estimated to be less than 20,000 km² (7,722 sq mi), or its area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 2,000 km² (772 sq mi), and estimates indicate its range is severely fragmented, or known to exist at no more than ten locations, and that a continuing decline has been inferred, observed or projected in the area, extent and/or quality of its habitat.^[4]