Platyceps messanai

Platyceps messanai, also known commonly as Messana's racer and Schätti's racer, is a species of snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae.^[1][2] The species is endemic to Somalia.

Platyceps messanai
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Platyceps
Species:	P. messanai
Binomial name
Platyceps messanai (Schätti & Lanza, 1989)
Synonyms[1][2]
Coluber messanai Schätti & Lanza, 1989

Etymology

The specific name, messanai, is in honor of Italian biologist Giuseppe Messana.^[3]

Geographic distribution

Platyceps messanai is found in northern Somalia.^[1][2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Platyceps messanai is shrubland, at elevations around 450 m (1,480 ft).^[1]

Behavior

Platyceps messanai is terrestrial.^[1]

Reproduction

Platyceps messanai is oviparous.^[2]