AROD > Reptiles / Squamata / Elapidae / Acanthophis /
Pilbara death adder |
Pannawonica, Western Australia Photo © Stephen Zozaya |
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Acanthophis wellsi | ||||||||
Pronunciation | AK-anth-OH-fiss WELLS-ee | |||||||
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Etymology |
Acanthophis: 'spine snake', refering to the spine at the tip of the tail.
wellsi: after Richard Wells, prominent and controversial herpetologist. |
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Other names | Acanthophis wellsei | |||||||
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Description | Distribution | Natural history | Conservation | Further information | More photos | |||||||||||||||
Description
Moderately keeled body scales dorsally, smooth laterally. Similar speciesDesert death adder (Acanthophis pyrrhus) - has divided prefrontal scales (versus undivided). Taxonomic notesThis species was first officially described, amid much controversy, by Raymond Hoser. A more complete description was then published by Ken Aplin and Steve Donnellan.1 Hoser originally used the name Acanthophis wellsei, inserting a mysterious e. The name was emended by Aplin & Donnellan (1999), but technically the name should still be A. wellsei. However, most authorities use the emended name. Scale count information
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Notes and disclaimer
This information may not be complete. While all care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this page, primary sources should always be consulted for definitive information. Animals have an endearing habit of disobeying the rules, so the information on this page should be interpreted with a degree of flexibility. The author and site operator accepts no responsibility for any losses or damages incurred through using this web site or the information contained herein. Don't get bitten by anything! This page may be cited as: Acanthophis wellsi at the Australian Reptile Online Database. Last updated 2017-04-14 17:05:40. Retrieved from http://arod.com.au/arod/?species=Acanthophis+wellsi on the 29th of March, 2024. Before citing information contained in AROD, please read our Citing AROD page. Copyright notice This page, its content and layout are copyright © 2007-2024 Stewart Macdonald / Ug Media, unless otherwise stated. All photographs in The Australian Reptile Online Database are © the photographer and may not be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the photographer. No part of The Australian Reptile Online Database may be reproduced without written permission from Stewart Macdonald. |