Lycodon muelleri

Lycodon muelleri, also known commonly Müller's wolf snake,^[2] Muller's wolf snake,^[1] and the Java wolf snake,^[3] is a species of snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae.^[2] The species is endemic to the Philippines.^[1][2]

Lycodon muelleri
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Lycodon
Species:	L. muelleri
Binomial name
Lycodon muelleri A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854
Synonyms[2]
Odontomus muelleri (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854) Haplonodon philippinensis Griffin, 1910

Etymology

The specific name, muelleri, is in honor of German naturalist Salomon Müller.^[3]: 184

Description

Lycodon muelleri may attain a total length of about 80 cm (31 in), which includes a tail length of about 20 cm (7.9 in). The dorsal scales are smooth, without apical pits, and arranged in 17 rows. The ventrals number 196–203. The anal plate is entire (undivided). The subcaudals are paired (divided).^[4]

Dentition

Lycodon muelleri has the following dentition. The teeth on the maxilla increase in size from the first tooth to the eighth tooth, the last three or four of which are sturdy and fang-like. After a short interspace, there are three small teeth. These are followed by three large teeth which are fang-link and laterally compressed.^[4]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Lycodon muelleri is forest, at elevations from sea level to 1,235 m (4,052 ft), but it has also been found in agricultural areas.^[1]

Reproduction

Lycodon muelleri is oviparous.^[2]