Amplorhinus

Amplorhinus multimaculatus, commonly known as the many-spotted snake or the Cape reed snake, is a species of mildly venomous snake in the family Pseudoxyrhophiidae.^[2] The species, which is native to southern Africa, is monotypic (only one species in the genus) in the genus Amplorhinus.

Amplorhinus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Pseudoxyrhophiidae
Subfamily:	Amplorhininae
Genus:	Amplorhinus A. Smith, 1847
Species:	A. multimaculatus
Binomial name
Amplorhinus multimaculatus A. Smith, 1847
Synonyms[2]
Amplorhinus multimaculatus A. Smith, 1947 Dipsas smithi — A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854 Coronella multimaculatus — Günther, 1858 Psammophylax multimaculatus — Jan, 1863 Amplorhinus multimaculatus — Boulenger, 1896

Geographic range

A. multimaculatus is found in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.^[1][2]

Habitat

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

Description

A small species, A. multimaculatus may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 45 cm (18 in).^[3]

Diet

A. multimaculatus preys on frogs and lizards.^[3]

Reproduction

A. multimaculatus is viviparous.^[2] Usually four to eight young are born in late summer. Each neonate measures 12.5–20 cm (4.9–7.9 in) in total length (including tail).^[3]

Venom

If a human is bitten by A. multimaculatus, the venom may cause localized swelling, inflammation, and pain. The venom is delivered by enlarged grooved teeth at the rear of the mouth.^[3]