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Robust burrowing snake
Antaioserpens - Wells & Wellington, 1985

Pronunciation: ann-TAY-ee-oh-SIR-puhns
 Etymology: 'From the Greek Antaios, a giant wrestler whose strength was renewed when he touched the earth.'1

Taxonomic notes:

The sole member of this genus was previously placed in Simoselaps.
This genus was originally described as Antaioserpens,1 but has been frequently misspelt as 'Antairoserpens' (note the additional 'r').

Notes:
Statistics: Reproductive modes:
Oviparous - 2 out of 2 Australian species

Size range:
Smallest Australian species: robust burrowing snake (Antaioserpens albiceps) at 29 cm
 Longest Australian species: robust burrowing snake (Antaioserpens albiceps) at up to 40 cm
Number of Australian species: 2
 

robust burrowing snake (Antaioserpens albiceps)
Aurukuun, Queensland
Photo © Anders Zimny
robust burrowing snake (Antaioserpens albiceps) distribution range map Antaioserpens albiceps
Robust burrowing snake
Year described
(Boulenger 1898)
Description
A relatively small, orange to brown snake possessing a prominent dark band across the nape, as well as black and white flecking on the head and snout. Body scales are dark-edged, giving the snake a reticulated appearance.

Warrego burrowing snake (Antaioserpens warro)
Chesterton Range, Queensland
Photo © Jon-Paul Emery
Warrego burrowing snake (Antaioserpens warro) distribution range map Antaioserpens warro
Warrego burrowing snake
Year described
(De Vis 1884)
Description
A small, burrowing snake with small eyes and a weakly shovel-shaped snout. Dark hood on the head, with another dark band on the neck. Body is brownish, with each scale having an irregular dark edge and giving a speckled appearance. Nasal scale separated from preocular by a prefrontal scale. Nasal scales are undivided and are in contact with first and second supralabials. Two primary temporal scales.

References
  1. Wells, Richard W. & Wellington, Ross C. (1985). A classification of the Amphibia and Reptilia of Australia. Australian Journal of Herpetology, Supplementary Series, 1:1-61. - search web for this article
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