Hydrodynastes gigas

Hydrodynastes gigas
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Hydrodynastes
Species:
H. gigas
Binomial name
Hydrodynastes gigas
Synonyms[2]
  • Xenodon gigas
    A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron &
    A.H.A. Duméril, 1854
  • Cyclagras gigas
    — Cope, 1885
  • Hydrodynastes gigas
    — Hoge, 1966
  • Hydrodynastes melanogigas
    Franco, Fernandes & Bentim, 2007

Hydrodynastes gigas is a New World species of large, rear-fanged, Dipsadin snake endemic to South America. It is commonly and alternatively known as the false water cobra and the Brazilian smooth snake.[3] The false water cobra is so named because when the snake is threatened it "hoods" as a true cobra (Naja species) does. Unlike a true cobra, though, it does not rear up, but remains in a horizontal position. No subspecies are currently recognized as being valid.[4]

  1. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  2. ^ "Hydrodynastes gigas ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  3. ^ Warrell DA (2004). "Snakebites in Central and South America: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Clinical Management". In: Campbell JA, Lamar WW (2004). The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Ithaca and London: Comstock Publishing Associates. 870 pp., 1,500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
  4. ^ "Hydrodynastes gigas ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 9 February 2007.