AMPHIBIA (includes orders Caudata and Gymnophiona not represented in Mali)
http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.php (amphibians, incl. frogs, no images)
http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/browse_imgs/amphibian.html
http://www.amphibiainfo.com/gallery/anura
homepage for the latter: http://www.livingunderworld.org/anura/
order Anura
for frog images see Calphotos (best) and Amphibianinfo, cf. links above
Comments (JH): the common bullfrog (relatively smooth skin, rather long legs, jumping) in the zone is Hoplobatrachus (= Dicroglossus) occipitalis. Observed in pools at Kikara and Beni. Older individuals are quite large and heavy, while juveniles can jump considerable distances. Native Dogon may have different terms for the large and juvenile stages.
Toads (rough skin, short legs, hopping) in the area are Bufo xeros and B. regularis, which Dogon are unlikely to distinguish terminologically. Common in Douentza in the rainy season. Coloration is somewhat variable within each species (e.g. breeding male, nonbreeding male, female, juvenile).
It is possible that Hyperolius (viridiflavus) nitidulus, a small frog that clings to grass stems, is present in parts of Dogon country although I have not seen it.
Pipidae (p. 31, 1 sp. of Xenopus [rather large, flattened bodies with wide mouths])
image (genus): Amphibia-info, Calphotos
Bufonidae = toads (p. 31, 5 spp. of Bufo)
Bufo pentoni ("much less abundant" than B. xeros)
image: Amphibia-info, Calphotos
Bufo regularis ("Egyptian toad"), mostly from Mopti south (but rep. Timbuktu)
image: Amphibia-info, Calphotos
Bufo xeros ("abundant"), from Bamako north
image: Calphotos
Dicroglossidae (formerly part of Ranidae)
Hoplobatrachus occipitalis [syn Dicroglossus occipitalis, thus in J&L] ("commonest frog observed in central Mali near standing water and marshy areas; infrequent during dry season" J&L]
image: Calphotos
Pixycephalidae (formerly part of Ranidae)
(Tomopterna are rather toad-like in body shape)
image (genus): Amphibia-info, Calphotos
Tomopterna sp. ("a member of this crepuscular genus has recently been found in northern Mali")
Tomopterna millehihorsini [syn Schoutedenella millehihorsini, thus in J&L] ("stony habitat," recorded only in Kati)
Microhylidae (p. 32, 1 sp. of "Phrynomerus", now Phrynomantis [small, colorful, often with red areas or marks])
image (genus): Amphibia-info, Calphotos
Hyperoliidade (ex Rhacophoridae; (p. 32, 7 spp.)
Hyperolius nitidulus [syn H. viridiflavus nitidulus] "frequently seen on grass stems during seasonal rains in northern central Mali"
image (as H. viridiflavus nitidulus): Calphotos
CHELONIA (turtles, tortoises)
http://emys.geo.orst.edu/main_pages/database.html (world turtle database)
Testudinidae = tortoises (p. 33, 2 spp.)
Geochelone sulcata ("African spurred tortoise") [syn Testudo sulcata] (northern and central Mali, "occasional sightings only")
large terrestrial tortoise, now rare but still found in desert north of Niger R. Gets moisture from succulent plants. Hibernates in hot dry season by digging deep holes. The shells (carapaces) are widely used as containers. A live pet was seen in a home in Douentza (2008)
Trionychidae = softshell turtles (p. 33, 2 spp.) (not known in Dogon country)
Pelomedusidae = sideneck turtles (p. 33, 3 spp)
Pelomedusa subrufa ("helmeted turtle") ("frequently observed in and near water during the rainy season; aestivates during dry season"; also A•r)
semi-aquatic tortoise; carnivore (fish, amphibians, worms). Will sunbathe. Much smaller than Geochelone. Live specimen brought to me by children in Douentza 2007
REPTILIA
Crocodylia (p. 33, 3 spp.)
Crocodylus niloticus ("Nile crocodile") ("well known ..., especially in the River Niger Inner Delta"; present in Dogon country, e.g. Adia village, where rivers hold their water at least in pools through the dry season; now extinct in Sahara (formerly present in pockets in Sahara, known to Tuareg). Natives sometimes distinguish two types of crocodile by size but this does not likely correspond to actual species differences.
average adult 4 m, longest 7 m; the common crocodile of the zone; snout variably elongated; like to sunbathe near water; in Niger R. and smaller rivers.
http://photos.wildmadagascar.org/images/nile_crocodile_0081.shtml
Mecistops cataphractus ("slender-snouted crocodile") [syn Crocodylus cataphractus, thus J&L] (recorded in far southern Mali, "status uncertain")
maximum 4 m; snout extremely elongated (long and thin)
http://www.marylandzoo.org/meet/images/crocodile.JPG
Osteolaemus tetraspis ("dwarf crocodile") ("not specifically recorded in Mali, but ... probably occurs there ..." J&L)
Guinean forests, forest galleries or south Senegal; maximum 1.8 m; snout blunt, nostrils separated by a body septum; adults blackish above; very slow, not dangerous, often out of water, e.g. in shade of trees
http://www.reptiworld.it/Rettilari e musei/in Europa/Reptilienzoo Happ/
SAURIA (lizards)
Gekkota (order), Gekkonidae = geckoes (pp. 33-4, 11 spp.)
subfamily Gekkoninae
images of many geckoes: http://www.gekkota.com
Northern Dogon generally have a single word for 'gecko' (salamandre in local French); if they know Tarentola they call it 'bush gecko' or the like.
Hemidactylus brookii (genus: "leaf-toed gecko") ("commonly seen on mud-brick walls of village buildings at night in central and northern Mali") [toes have pointed extensions]
images: many on web, e.g.:
http://www.fotoreiseberichte.de/srilanka/fotos/d_srilanka2006_s_1735.htm
Ptyodactylus ragazzii (genus: "fan-fingered or fan-footed gecko") [syn P. hasselquistii ragazzi, thus in J&L] (many records from northern and central Mali) [toes end in rounded pads]
common house gecko (nocturnal, on walls); digits end in a fan-like appendage
image: Gekkota
http://eligreenbaum.iss.utep.edu/mali.htm
.Douen.2006.above.JH.JPG)
Stenodactylus petrii (genus: "short-fingered gecko") (recorded Tessalit and just north of Bourem)
image: Gekkota
image: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28
Stenodactylus sthenodactylus (genus: "short-fingered gecko") (Kidal, Tessalit)
image: Gekkota
Tarentola [on this genus see U. Joger. 1984. Taxonomische Revision der Gattung Tarentola (Reptilia: Gekkonidae). Bonner zoologische BeitrŠge 35:(1?3):129-74.]
Tarentola annularis ("ringed wall gecko") (mostly Mopti to Kidal)
image: http://images.nbii.gov/findingspecies/nbii_fs_p01110.jpg
Tarentola ephippiata ("African wall gecko") ("infrequently recorded on large tree trunks, and on walls of buildings, less commonly than T. parvicarinata, at night"; specimen collected in Douentza area)
bush gecko, small (shorter than a ballpoint pen), body more robust than for Ptyodactylus, back grey-brown with dark brown mottling roughly in two longitudinal stripes from head to hind legs.
image: Gekkota
Tarentola parvicarinata ("Sierra Leone wall gecko") ("An abundant species inside and on the walls of buildings, especially in towns"; there has been confusion among this and other T. spp. in Mali; mostly southern and central but one record from Gao)
image (watercolor by Jean Chevalier): http://www.cons-dev.org/GVS/fiche1.php?lng=en&nespece=74
Tropiocolotes tripolitanus ("northern sand gecko") (e.g. Hombori; "Specimens found under rocks having sought refuge during the day. Probably fairly frequent, not only in rocky habitats, in the arid and Sahelian zones of Mali")
image: Gekkota
Chamaeleonidae = chameleons (p. 34, 2 spp.)
Chamaeleo africanus ("A very commonly seen species in daylight hours during the after the rainy season, especially on bushes and by trees ..." J&L)
well-known in Mali, seen walking slowly and jerkily on ground
Chamaeleo senegalensis (one report for Gao, mostly southern/western)
Agamidae =agamas (pp. 34-5, 10 spp. including 7 Agama, 1 Trapelus, 2 Uromastyx)
comments (JH): Agama spp. have a distinctive head-bobbing action, and long thin tails. In addition to the very common Agama group agama (house agamas), bush agamas include at least A. sankaranica and probably A. boueti.
Agama group agama [group needs taxonomic revision]
the common diurnal house lizard(s) throughout Mali. Breeding adult males in northern Dogon country have either blood-red or golden heads (perhaps belonging to distinct species). Younger males are darker all over. Females are mostly lighter brown, but have red blotches on their sides when in oestrus. Northern Dogon always have one basic term for 'agama lizard', but use modifiers to indicate color patterns.
Agama agama ("A very abundant species observed everywhere by and on buildings in Mali. Some of the records may in fact be A. paragama." J&L)
Agama paragama ("An abundant species active during daylight hours, often by buildings in northern central Mali" J&L)
images (A. agama and A. paragama): http://www.agamen.info/0037.htm
many more images on web
Agama boueti (Sahelian sp., recorded from Tessalit to Mopti, mostly Gao north)
image
(black & white): http://triplov.com/herpetologia/africa_geral/agamidae.htm
Agama impalearis (Tessalit area in far north)
images: many on web, e.g.
http://www.agamen.info/0037.htm
http://avantlalettre.canalblog.com/archives/2005/07/07/609723.html
Agama sankaranica ("common ground dwelling species in wooded savanna"; mostly southern but one record south of Kidal; specimen collected near Douentza)
bush agama, small, coloration uniform light brown
Trapelus mutabilis ("desert agama") (north of Kidal)
many images on web
Uromastyx spp.
whiptail lizards, or spiny-tailed agamas) have distinctive thick tails that can be whipped to the sides. The common local sp. is Uromastyx geyri. The article by Joger & Lambert described a second species, U. maliensis, that occurs primarily north of Gao; it was later relegated to subspecies status as U. dispar maliensis [see T. Wilms & W. Bšhme. 2001. Revision of the Uromastyx acanthinura species group, with description of a new species from the central Sahara (Reptilia: Sauria; Agamidae). Zoologische Abhandlungen Staatliches Museum fuer Tierkunde, Dresden 51(8)]
images of both spp. below on http://www.boiga.nl/?paginaid=24
Uromastyx geyri (Kidal, Tessalit) [syn U. acanthinurus (or: acanthinura) geyri]
image: http://ww.boiga.nl/argeweb/downloads/uromastyx%geyri.jpg
Uromastyx dispar maliensis (syn U. maliensis, described as such as a new spp. U. maliensis in J&L] (Tessalit to Gao)
Lacertidae (long-tailed, small, mostly in desert) (pp. 35-36, 9 spp. including 5 Acanthodactylus)
website on lacertids: http://www.cyberlizard.plus.com/lacertids.html
comments (JH): Lacertids are small, light-colored, long-tailed lizards with relatively large hands and feet, generally fast-moving, mainly confined to deserts. I have not seen any specimens of lacertids in Dogon or montane Songhay areas. Most spp. are not recorded south of the Niger River. However, Acanthodactylus guineensis (no image available) is recorded for Bandiagara, and A. boskianus for just south of Gao. These should be looked for in central Dogon country.
Latastia longicaudata (genus: "long-tailed lizards") (records are Gao and Goundam) [can climb]
images: many on web
Philochortus cf. spinalis (genus: "orangetail lizards") (only record is Bourem, species uncertain)
Acanthodactylus ("fringe-fingered" or "fringe-toed lizards")
Acanthodactylus boskianus (record is just south of Gao, where it is "common ... in the dry season") [7 longitudinal stripes of varying contrast on back; well-camouflaged in sand or gravel; runs with tail elevated in semicircle; digs burrows in solidified sand]
images on web
Acanthodactylus dumerilii (Tessalit to Goundam)
Acanthodactylus guineensis (only record is Bandiagara)
Acanthodactylus longipes (far northern Sahara well west of Kidal, "confined to mobile dunes") [very slender, very long tail]
images on web
Acanthodactylus scutellatus (Tessalit area)
Mesalina rubropunctata ("red-spotted lizard") (Tessalit to south of Kidal) [4 rows of white spots bordered with dark red, maroon, or black; belly yellowish white, eat ants and beetles; likes stony areas in extreme desert conditions]
Mesalina pasteuri (Mali-Niger-Algeria border, mainly in Hoggar and A•r) [desert-dweller, beige with one white mid-dorsal longitudinal stripe extending into tail, two lateral stripes on each side, separated by narrow whitish or yellowish lines; no ocelli or spots; likes dunes and mobile sands with tufts of grass, eats small insects] [specimen at Field Museum]
Scincidae - skinks (p. 36, 6 spp.)
comments (JH). The skinks commonly observed from northern Dogon country up to the Niger River are Chalcides thierryi and two species of Trachylepis (formerly Mabuya). Northern Dogon are not very knowledgeable about skinks, though Trachylepis spp. do occur around houses (sometimes entering water jars). For some Dogon speakers, there is one term for all skink species.
stout body, short tail, short limbs: Chalcides thierryi
slender body, long tail, fairly long legs: Trachylepis (ex Mabuya)
distinct longitudinal stripes from head to tail, coloration in shades of brown: quinquetaeniata
small spots, no distinct longitudinal stripes: perrotetii
Chalcides [on sub-Saharan members of this genus see E. Greenbaum in African Jrnl of Herpetology 54:17-29 2995, and E. Greenbaum et al. in Herpetologica 62(1):71-89 2006]
Chalcides thierryi ("cylindrical snake")
Chalcides delislei [syn Sphenops delislei, thus in J&L] ("a subterranean species, unearthed during seasonal rains"; records are Hombori and Mourdiah)
Trachylepis quinquetaeniata [syn Mabuya quinquetaeniata scharica, thus in Joger & Lambert] ("An abundant species active during daylight hours, including the hot dry season, in northern central Mali"; recorded Bourem to Bamako)
image: reptile database jcvi
.quinquetaeniata.Douen.05.JH.jpg)
Trachylepis perrotetii [syn Mabuya perrotetii, thus in J&L] ("Recorded occasionally in northern central Mali, commoner further south and seen in gardens of houses in Bamako")
.perrotteti.Douen.05.JH.jpg)
image: reptile database jcvi
Scincus scincus ("sandfish skink") (records are Tessalit and Timbuktu)
transverse stripes or bars on pale background, Saharan, north of the Niger R.; much larger than Chalcides or Trachylepis.
image: reptile database jcvi (several)
Scincopus fasciatus ("banded skink") (only record is Timbuktu)
yellow-orange back with 7-8 broad black transverse bands, equally spaced; short tail, large body and head
image: reptile database jcvi
Amphisbaenidae = worm lizards (p. 36, 1 sp.)
Varanidae = monitor lizards (p. 36, 3 spp.)
comments (JH). The amphibious monitor lizard is Varanus niloticus. Adult grey or olive-brown with darker blotches and bands and fine yellow spotting; sub-adult black with bright yellow spots and blotches. Tail laterally compressed (like crocodile). Found here and there in northern Dogon country near the larger streams and pools. We saw one up in a tree near water at Adia village near Douentza. About 1-1.4 m long.
Varanus exanthematicus ("savannah monitor") ("seen frequently in savanna habitat")
terrestrial, occurs farther south but might be looked for in southern Dogon country. Lumbers around looking for prey or carrion. Drab blackish or gray-brown, with 5-6 rows of dull yellow blotches; juvenile with more distinct patterning. Tail cylindrical. Adults about 1 m long, but bulkier than V. niloticus. Usually digs a burrow in soft moist soil during rainy season (eggs hatch the following year).
many images on web (including Wikimedia)
Varanus griseus ("desert monitor") (only museum record is Adrar des Ifoghas)
long and thin, with very long tail; terrestrial; coloration light grey-brown; a stuffed specimen probably of this sp. was seen at Beni
many images on web
Varanus niloticus ("Nile monitor") (Bourem, also Algerian border; live specimen seen near Douentza)
semi-aquatic, found in water and in nearby trees; local French ca•man.
many images on web
SERPENTES (snakes)
museum specimens (images from various angles) < Tanzania (abbrev "zmuc" below): http://www.zmuc.dk/VerWeb/Tanzanian_Vertebrates/Reptile_gen_collection.html
key to families
small worm-like snakes with body (top and
bottom) covered by identical scales
Leptotyphlopidae,
up to 20 cm long (fewer than 16 rows of scales around body)
Typhlopidae,
up to 90 cm (more than 16 rows of scales around body)
ventral (belly) scales clearly distinct from
dorsal (back) scales
ventral
scales not wide, distinctly less wide than ventral face: Boidae
ventral
scales wide, at least as wide as ventral face
head
characterized by small scales: Viperidae (except Causus)
head
characterized by large plaques
no
individualized tooth at front of maxilla: Colubridae
individualized
tooth at front of maxilla
fixed
hook (fang) at front of maxilla: Elapidae
long
mobile hook (fang)
superior
labials not in contact with eye: Causus
(Viperidae)
superior
labials in contact with eye: Atractaspidae
Typhlopidae = blind snakes (p. 36, 2 spp. of Typhlops)
Typhlops punctatus punctatus (DiafarabŽ J&L; Mopti, Burkina near Bandiagara, but mostly farther south).
worm-like, 30-50 cm; seen on ground after rains
Leptotyphlopidae = slender blind snakes (p. 336-7, 5 spp. including 4 of Leptotyphlops)
Leptotyphlops algeriensis (strictly Saharan; one Malian record just north of Gao, not in J&L)
long and very thin (< 2mm diameter), 19-27 cm long, entirely pinkish; seen at night in palm oases
Leptotyphlops bicolor (only record is DiafarabŽ J&L; now recorded farther south)
back dark brown, belly slightly lighter; 10-16 cm; under decaying leaves and other vegetation, eats ants, burrows
Leptotyphlops macrorhynchus (only record is Bourem) [not in T&M]
Leptotyphlops boueti (T&M) = Leptotyphlops narirostris boueti J&L (records are DjennŽ and Bamako)
resembles L. algeriensis (long & thin, pink), 14-18 cm long; may enter courtyards
family characters: "relatively small, mainly burrowing snakes that rarely exceed 30 cm in length. ... The cranium and uper jaws (maxillae, palatines, and pterygoids) of leptotyphlopids are immobile and teeth are present only on the dentary bone. The lower jaw consists of an enormous, horizontally displaced qudrate, a tiny compund bone, and relatively larger dentary, angular, splenial, and coronoid ..."
Boidae = boas and pythons (p. 37, 3 spp.)
Gongylophis muelleri [syn Eryx muelleri, thus in J&L] (Bandiagara, Gao; "Found not infrequently near buildings during seasonal rains in northern central Mali"; T&M shows many records from Gao south)
[revision to Gongylophis muelleri: A. A. Tokar, "Taxonomic revision of the genus Gongylophis Wagler 1830: G. conicus (Schneider 1801) and G. muelleri Boulenger 1892 (Serpentes Boidae)," Tropical Zoology 8.2.347-60, 1995)
very thick, stout body similar to those of pythons. It is shorter, with a blunt (not pointed) head and a stubby tail that looks (to natives) like a second head. It has large, sharply bounded blackish blotches on the back, against an off-white or light orange background. Scales are larger than for pythons. It kills its prey by venom rather than suffocation. A partial skin was seen at Tupere village (Tabi mountain near Boni).
Python regius (southern Mali, but one record in T&M at Burkina border not far from Bandiagara)
nocturnal, rolls into a ball when threatened; 40-120 cm long; on each side of head from snout to eye, the first four superior labials each have a depression ("fossette sensorielle"); white line on side of head goes through eye
Python sebae sebae (Kati, Sikasso; well known throughout Dogon and Songhay country; local French "boa")
3-4 m long, can reach 10 m; first two superior labials on each side of head have a depression; buffy yellow line on side of head passes over eye; top of head has dark brown "spearhead" between these lines pointing toward snout, bordered by buffy yellow; irregular blotches on rest of back. Female lays many eggs inside an old burrow, termite mound, or cave, then wraps herself around them.
image: zmuc
comments (JH): Boidae have ventral (belly) scales that do not extend to the edges of the ventral face (in other snakes, the ventrals do cover the entire ventral face). Python and Gongylophis can be distinguished by the subcaudals (scales on belly just beyond anus): Python spp. have two rows of subcaudals, Gongylophis spp. have one. Pythons have small scales and distinctively triangular heads (seen from above); they seize their prey with their mouths, wrap their bodies around them, and suffocate them.
Atractaspididae = mole vipers = stiletto snakes = burrowing asps (p. 37, 4 spp. of Atractaspis)
family characters: "Atractaspis spp. related to colubrids. Small, up to about 1m. Resemble other colubrids. Maxilla is extremely reduced and bears an enormous hollow front fang. As in viperids, the maxilla has a complex articulation with the pre-frontal bone and can be erected. The fangs can be erected too, but unlike in viperids the fangs are not erected in a posterior-anterior direction but rather laterally. ... venom is mainly used to kill small mammals and other vertebrates although one species eats earthworms. Members of the genus Atractaspis live and feed subterraneanly."
comments (JH): Atractaspis spp. are small subterranean snakes, with heads not clearly distinct from bodies; eyes very small. Highly venomous despite small size. Local spp. now classified as A. micropholis and A. watsoni
25-27 rows of dorsals in middle of body, 7 gular scales in contact with mental scales (underside of head): micropholis
27-35 rows of dorsals, 5 gular scales in contact with mental scales: watsoni
Atractaspis (genus) "burrowing asp" or "mole viper"
Atractaspis micropholis ("Sahelian burrowing asp") ("Abundant around Bandiagara and well known to Dogon people (pers. comm.), who boil corpses in water to extract fat for medical uses" < J&L) [ref: A. Monard, "Resultats de la mission zoologique suisse au Cameroun. Reptiles. MŽm. IFAN, Dakar, ser sci. nat. 1:123-70, 1951; Hughes, Bonn. Zool. Beitr. 34:311-56, 1983]
30-80 cm, dark brown, rear part of each scale whitish; bite is venomous, one case of a French soldier dying from a bite in one hour, no antivenin
Atractaspis
microlepidota ("small-scaled burrowing asp") [T&M now reclassify
all earlier records in Mali, Burkina, Niger as A. watsoni, leaving A.
microlepidota in Mauritania and coastal Senegal]
30-50
cm, entirely black
images:
http://www.afpmb.org/pubs/living_hazards/A2ATRACT.jpg
http://www.aircav.com/survival/appe/asappe18.html
Atractaspis watsoni ("Watson's burrowing asp") [T&M have transferred records of A. microlepidota in J&L and Chippaux from interior W African countries to this species; Malian records in Dogon country and points south]
30-65 cm, dorsal color black, belly slightly lighter; bite dangerous
Colubridae (pp. 37-8, 27 spp.)
comments (JH): Colubrids are venomous but most spp. have mild venom that is no dangerous to adult humans (the boomslang does have powerful venom).
The common and well-known colubrids in northern Dogon country are a) Psammophis sibilans (= P. phillipsii in earlier documents); b) Psammophis elegans, and c) Haemarrhois (=Coluber) dorri. I have also seen one specimen of Psammophis praeornatus in NE Dogon country (Tabi).
other colubrids that may be in or near Dogon country:
Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia
Dasypeltis spp.
Lamprophis fuliginosus
Malpolon moilensis
Meizodon coronatus
Natriciteres olivacea (also spelled olivaceus):
Philothamnus spp.
Prosymna greigerti
Rhamphiophis oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus
Spalerosophis spp.
Telescopus dhara obtusus
subfamilies of Colubridae:
Boodontinae (Grayia, Lamprophis, Mehelya)
Colubrinae (Coluber, Crotaphopeltis, Dasypeltis, Dispholidus, Haemorrhois = Hemorrhois, Meizodon, Philothamnus, Prosymna, Spalerosophis, Telescopus)
Natricinae (Natriciteres) [sometimes treated as a separate family Natricidae]
Psammophiinae (Malpolon, Psammophis, Rhamphiophis)
key to local colubrid genera (< Chippaux)
just one internasal: Prosymna
two internasals
eye not in contact with superior labials: Spalerosophis
eye in contact with superior labials
unusual rostral (scale at tip of snout)
rostral pointed like parrot's beak: Rhampiophis
rostral wedge-shaped: Lytorhynchus
normal rostral
vertebral row widened with two distinctive bumps in each scale: Mehelya
vertebral row smooth or with same bumps as other scales
loreal scale (separating nasal from preocular) absent
Atractaspis
Dasypeltis
loreal present
vertebral row widened: Dispholidus
vertebral row normal
pupil elliptic (vertically)
anal divided: Telescopus
anal entire (undivided)
dorsals carinated (bumpy): Crotaphopeltis
dorsals smooth
23 or more dorsal rows: Lamprophis
19 dorsal rows: Crotaphopeltis
pupil round
23 or more dorsal rows: Haemorrhois [or Coluber]
15-21 dorsal rows
dorsal rows oblique
supraocular no wider than frontal: Philothamnus
supraocular clearly wider than frontal: Psammophis
dorsal rows straight
loreal concave: Malpolon
loreal ordinary
internasals 3x shorter than prefrontals: Dromophis [now in Psammophis]
internasals about same size as prefrontals
supraocular much narrower than frontal: Meizodon
supraocular about as wide as frontal
just one anterior temporal: Natriciteres
two anterior temporals: Grayia
all species:
Boaedon
fuliginosum, see Lamprophis fuliginosus
Coluber dorri [syn Haemorrhois (also spelled Hemorrhois) dorri, thus T&M, but Coluber dorri on jcvi database as of 03.2009] ("Localised in wooded savanna in Mali"; records include Sangha) [before 1986 Periops dorri; see B. Schatti, L.D. Wilson, "Coluber Linnaeus: Holarctic racers. Cat. of American Amphibians and Repties No. 399 (1986):1-4.]
has distinctive black "X" markings on its back. Specimens seen from Kikara and Anda near Douentza. Speakers of Nanga language (Anda village) seem to have different terms for juvenile and adult.
Coluber
diadema, see Spalerosophis diadema
Coluber
scaber, see Dasypeltis sahelensis
Coluber
smythii, see Grayia smythii
Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia (DiafarabŽ J&L; recorded all along Mali-Burkina border, also recorded around Lac Debo and most of southern Mali). Related sp. C. hippocrepis is found in Burkina and Ivory Coast.
(genus: "herald snakes"): enters swamps and villages (the common urban snake of Ouagadougou etc.), venom not serious; back dark olive green often with tiny white spots in transverse lines, underside whitish; top and side of head dark brown shading to black on rear sides, contrasting with white superior labials; eats frogs, geckos; suffocates prey (like python); when threatened it raises and inflates head and tries to bite; nocturnal/crepuscular, can swim; bite not painful or dangerous; average adult 45 cm.
many images on web
image: zmuc
Crotaphopeltis hippocrepis [records from Burkina] [has at times been considered conspecific with C. hotamboeia]
Dasypeltis spp. ("egg-eating snakes")
Dasypeltis
fasciata (see D. gansi)
Dasypeltis gansi [previously often confused with D. fasciata]
45-85 cm; light beige to pinkish; beige form more or less uniformly colored; pinkish form has a medial line of red-brown marks on back, separated by whitish areas; toward the front the red-brown marks spread to become chevrons; ventrals 219-242 male, 234-262 female
Dasypeltis sahelensis [syn D. scabra, thus in J&L; also Coluber scaber] (records include DiafarabŽ J&L; also Burkina along Mali border) ["lacking in deserts and dense rain forests"; sahel and oueds with shrubby vegetation T&M]
25-55 cm; Non-venomous, nocturnal, feeds exclusively on eggs, can swallow eggs much larger than head (egg is then crushed by contact with spine, liquids absorbed and shell bits regurgitated); longest 60 cm; light brown (specimens in alcohol) with 60 dark brown-gray rectangular spots in median line from neck to anus separated by white, paralleled by irregular transverse marks on each side; underside and tail light brown; top of head with two dark prove chevrons with point facing forward; ventrals 207-221 male, 214-237 female
Dasypeltis
scabra [valid taxon for other parts of Africa], see D. sahelensis
image: zmuc
image: http://www.bio-ken.com/colubrids.htm
images on web
Dispholidus typus typus, "boomslang" (Sikasso; no records in central Mali T&M)
"up to 6 feet in length; very active and largely arboreal; feeds mainly on chamaeleons and other tree lizards, nestling birds and eggs; the only dangerous back-fanged snake, but fortunately reluctant to bite, egg-laying"]; diurnal, average adult 1.2 m long
image: zmuc
images on web
image: http://www.bio-ken.com/colubrids.htm
Dromophis
praeornatus praeornatus, see Psammophis praeornatus
Grayia smithi [also spelled smythii, smithi] ("this water snake should ... occur in Mali", recorded e.g. SW Burkina; T&M no records for Mali) [syn Coluber smythii]
100-150 cm; semi-aquatic, diurnal, eats small fish and some frogs; not venomous; back brown, young have transverse black bands that become indistinct with age; belly whitish; superior labials whitish with dark border
image: zmuc
images: http://www.bio-ken.com/colubrids.htm
Haemorrhois dorri, see Coluber dorri
Lamprophis spp. ("African house snakes")
key:
back blackish, no light-colored line on side of head; loreal scale 3x long as high: fuliginosus
back brown, two light-colored lines on each side of head; loreal no more than twice as long as high: lineatus
Lamprophis fuliginosus, "African house snake" (recorded DiafarabŽ, also one record betw Mopti and Timbuktu]
30-80 cm; a house snake (nocturnal/crepuscular, or daytime after rains); back uniformly dark (blackish brown to grey), head rounded and distinct from body, small eye (vertically elliptic); suffocates prey; inoffensive to humans
images: jcvi (but coloration variable from West to South Africa)
images: http://www.bio-ken.com/colubrids.htm
Lamprophis lineatus (records in Burkina and far southwestern Mali)
30-90 cm; back brown to olive brown, two white lines on each side of head passing through eye
Malpolon moilensis "false cobra" (scattered records in Mali: Adrar des Ifoghas, south of Gao, east of Mopti) [also across N. Africa to Middle East]
60-100 cm; desert sp., terrestrial, large scales, light brown (tan) or greyish, with dark brown marks on head, extending in the form of roundish dark spots (not sharply bounded) along the sides of the body; loreal region (between nasal and eye) is concave, surmounted by a ridge (canthus rostralis); head expands (like cobra)
images on web, e.g.
http://www.geres-asso.org/AYM_malpolon-moilensis_2_web.jpg
Mehelya crossi "file snake" (records in Burkina and southwestern Mali)
80-115 cm; back dark brown or reddish, belly lighter with a central yellow line; genus called "file snakes" because of triangular cross-section and rough-keeped (ridged) scales (unrelated to Australian "file snakes")
Meizodon coronatus "crowned snake" (Mopti/DiafarabŽ, and southern Mali)
30-60 cm; nonvenomous; small snake with head not distinct from body; back greyish; head (esp young) has irregular blackish transverse bands (cf. Dromophis), becoming less distinct with age
Natriciteres olivacea (only Malian records are around Timbuktu and in far south, rare and localized T&M)
25-40 cm; small head; back uniform olive-brown or reddish; may have a dark dorsal band with lighter border; belly lighter; semi-aquatic, diurnal, tail often broken off; inoffensive.
image: zmuc
image: http://www.bio-ken.com/colubrids.htm
Periops dorri, see above under Coluber dorri
Philothamnus spp. (emerald green, slender, arboreal)
key:
interior of mouth black, ventrals not bumpy, 158-186 ventrals: irregularis
interior of mouth light-colored, ventrals bumpy, 187-209 ventrals: semivariegatus
Philothamnus irregularis (records include Mopti/DiafarabŽ, one record near Gao, also Burkina)
80-110 cm; very common in its zone; when threatened it faces attacker with mouth open; bite not venomous
Philothamnus semivariegatus (Gao and Bandiagara)
90-110 cm
image: zmuc
images: http://www.bio-ken.com/colubrids.htm
Prosymna greigerti "shovelsnout snake" (syn P. meleagris greigerti, thus J&L) (recorded San and points south, also common in Burkina)
25-32 cm; head not very distinct from body; dark brown or grayish, each scale has white point, creating appearance of criss-crossing thin white lines; single internasal scale (other colubrids have two); nocturnal, burrowing, eats reptile eggs; when threatened it rolls and unrolls itself like a metal spring
Psammophis spp. "sand racers" [very long thin tails, fast movers, mostly diurnal, one local sp. arboreal]
genus now includes previous Psammophis and Dromophis genera
key (excluding old Dromophis):
anal scale entire: phillipsi [this feature apparently not reliable]
anal scale divided
more than 184 ventrals, loreal (between nasal and eye) more than 3x longer than high; narrowed head; 3 clearly marked dark longitudinal bands; arboreal; savanna or Sahel: elegans
fewer than 184 ventrals, 8 superior labials of which 4th and 5th in contact with eye; back uniform olive green or w. faint lateral bands; belly uniform light-colored or with small irregular dark spots: sibilans
fewer than 184 ventrals, 9 superior labials of which 5th and 6th in contact with eye; loreal (between nasal and eye) 2-3x longer than high; preocular in contact with frontal (single scale on top of head between eyes); back brown with 3 dark longitudinal bands; desert or sahel: schokari
Psammophis elegans ("Active during dry season; not infrequent in central Mali"; records from Timbuktu, Bandiagara, and south; common in Dogon country
90-140 cm; longitudinally striped, arboreal (but can also hunt prey on ground), narrowed head; red-brown band on side of head through eyes
Psammophis lineatus (syn Dromophis lineatus, thus in T&M; common in burkina, no Malian records near Dogon country)
similar to P. praeornatus but bigger (40-110 cm); no black transverse bands on back of head
http://www.bio-ken.com/colubrids.htm
Psammophis praeornatus [syn Dromophis praeornatus praeornatus, thus in J&L and T&M] (records include Sangha and points south, also Burkina; I have one specimen from near Tabi mountain)
"striped swamp snake". 30-70 cm, slender; usually near water; diurnal, hunts lizards on the ground; alternating light and dark transverse stripes across the back of the head and upper neck (compare Meizodon).
formerly Dromophis praeornatus, renamed Psammophis praeornatus (Christopher Kelly, Nigel Barker, Martin Villet, Donald Broadley, and William Branch. 2008. "The snake family Psammophiidae (Reptilia: Serpentes): Phylogenetics and species delimitation in the African sand snakes", Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 47(3):1045-1060.)
Psammophis
rukwae leucogaster (no certain records; "Some of the earlier Malian
records of P. sibilans may in fact be this species" J&L) [Tanzanian
sp.; T&M suggest that the W. African specimens are either P. sudanensis
leucogaster or P. sibilans, but note that genetic studies are in progress]
image:
zmuc
Psammophis schokari (records Timbuktu to west of Mopti; also Algeria, common in Mauritania)
60-100 cm; arid country, rests at night in shrubs; mostly light brown; dark line on side of face through eye to back of head, longitudinal lines on back may be distinct or not, belly often has a yellow median band with thin black border
many images on web (extends to Arabia)
Psammophis sibilans (local species previously referred to P. phillipsi [also spelled "phillipsii"] or P. sibilans phillipsi, thus J&L, syn P. sibilans rukwae; J&L list records for this sp. in Lac Faguibine, Lac Debo, Mopti, DjennŽ, etc.; T&M restrict P. phillipsi to (sub-)coastal W. Africa, and classify the common Malian terrestrial Psammophis as P. sibilans, but call for genetic tests; Kelly et al. 2008 provide some DNA evidence in support of this position)
30-120 cm; the common terrestrial diurnal colubrid throughout Dogon country, often entering villages; back uniform olive-green (in this zone), some spots on side of head (esp. juveniles); preys on small rodents and lizards; aggressive but bite not dangerous
images: zmuc, jcvi
Rhamphiophis oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus (records from DiafarabŽ and south of Bandiagara) [http://www.biol.lu.se/zooekologi/jon/herpbild/hb18.htm]
35-120 cm; uniform light brown or light beige, belly lighter; has a conspicuous parrot-like "beak" that is adapted for digging; hunt by entering burrows, generally in sandy soil; bite not dangerous
image: zmuc (R. oxyrhynchus rostratus)
Spalerosophis
cliffordi (see S. diadema)
Spalerosophis diadema "diadem snake" (records Goundam and around Niafunke) [syns S. cliffordi, Coluber diadema; given in T&M as S. cliffordi, but jcvi website 03.2009 gives. S. diadema]
50-110 cm; Saharan sp. also in moist Sahel and dry savanna (e.g. Niamey); head broad, back light brown (tan) with narrow dark spots forming rhombuses with white fringes on median vertebral line; diurnal (in hot season, crepuscular), fast-moving, hunts lizards and rodents on ground.
images: jcvi
images: http://icb-reptiles.com/site/reptile.asp?RecordID=296
Telescopus dhara obtusus "tiger snake" [part of group called "T. dhara s.l" needing further study; syn T. obtusus, thus in J&L; Trape et ManŽ connect the W. African specimens to T. tripolitanus described by Werner 1909 (or, if the latter name is invalid as Bšhme suggests, T. guidimakaensis)] (records Kidal, Mourdiah, southwestern Mali; "Not infrequent in northern central Mali, one specimen was found inside a building at Mourdiah" J&L)
Sahelian sp.; head wide and flat; eye vertically elliptic; back scales small; tail short; anal divided; head and back grey-brown with or without darker markings; average adult 70 cm long
image: http://www.bio-ken.com/colubrids.htm (Telescopus dhara)
Telescopus
guidimakaensis (see T. dhara obtusus)
Telescopus
obtusus (see T. dhara obtusus)
Telescopus tripolitanus (see T. dhara obtusus)
Viperidae (pp. 38-9, 7 spp.)
family characters: "...typically have broad, triangular heads. Most are also heavy-bodied with relatively short, slender tails. Most vipers have numerous and heavily keeled body scales. ..."
comments (JH): the common vipers of northern Dogon country and Hombori are two spp. of Echis ("saw-scaled vipers"). Another viper species is reported by natives (specimens not seen), most likely Bitis arietans. Cerastes vipera may be present in arid sandy areas. Bitis makes a hissing sound when agitated; some other vipers including Echis make a hiss-like noise by rubbing their body scales together.
Bitis and Echis are responsible for most snakebite fatalities in Mali (cobras are the other killers). Viper venom produces painful, initially local swelling and necrosis (death of tissue) at the area bitten, and takes several hours to spread systematically in the form of bleeding (hemorrhagy), eventually manifested in general bleeding e.g. around gums and nose: about 5 hours for Bitis, up to 1-2 days for Echis.
Bitis arietans, "puff adder" (records in Mopti, Timbuktu, and points south; "well known to local people in Mali")
70-130 cm; crepuscular/nocturnal, in savanna and Sahel; moves straight forward with caterpillar-like motion (not side-winding or twisting), leaving a straight trail; feeds on frogs, small mammals, occasionally birds; hides behind rocks and logs waiting for prey to arrive, then strikes and follows prey until it dies; hisses loudly when approached; thick body with short tail; scales keeled (coarse); large head is flat and distinctly triangular, with concave area on top of head behind eye; small eye near top of head; back dark beige with more or less clearly marked chevrons pointing backward; often accidentally stepped on resulting in bites
image: zmuc
many web images
Causus maculatus "night adder" (e.g. Dogo north of Mopti, very common south of Mopti)
30-60 cm; venom painful but not mortal; very common in southern Mali and adjoining countries, may enter villages; prefers habitats near water, including gardens; feeds on frogs; small head, body robust and flattened, tail short; large plaque-like scales on head unlike the tiny head scales of other vipers (only three scales between eyes); body dark brown with regular black rhombuses that fade with age; top of head has a V-shaped black mark pointing toward snout
occasional images on web
Cerastes spp.
15-20 scales between eyes: 130-165 ventrals: C. cerastes
9-13 scales between eyes; 102-130 ventrals: C. vipera
Cerastes cerastes "horned viper" (far north, also DiafarabŽ J&L, but T&M recognize only extreme far northern records)
30-65 cm; stony areas esp. in desert; most but not all have two "horns" (i.e. conical erect supraocular scales) arising behind eyes; back is pale sandy yellow; about 30 transverse spots from neck to tail, fading with age; bite serious but fatal mostly for children and elderly
many images on web
Cerastes vipera "Saharan sand viper" (far north down to Timbuktu)
25-40 cm; sidewinding motion; buries itself in sand, except for "fingernail" on tail that wiggles to attract prey; tan color, with about 30 faint spots from neck to tail; tail narrows abruptly; bite may be mortal
many images on web
Echis spp. "scaled vipers"
comments: Echis have moderately large heads but not the flattened, distinctly triangular heads of Bitis etc. They have long fangs. Northern Dogon can distinguish the two Echis spp. by habitat and length (take photos of belly as well as back if specimens caught). The two spp. are usually called by the same basic term in Dogon languages, but are distinguished in compounds as e.g. 'mountain viper' versus 'plains viper' (habitat and relative size are known to Dogon)
species key (Chippaux), but the genus is subject to revision
fewer than 159 ventrals; rostral as high as wide: E. ocellatus (shorter, plains and woodland)
more than 158 ventrals; rostral twice as wide as high: E. leucogaster (longer, rocky country)
Echis ocellatus (south and west; "In older literature, all Echis were placed under the name E. carinatus"]
20-40 cm; associated in Dogon country with the plains and woodlands; occasionally climbs shrubs when ground is inundated; back yellowish or reddish with medial row of alternating large dark and whitish marks, plus light vertebral "eyelets" on sides surrounded by darker markings; belly cream or light tan with scattered dark brown points
Echis leucogaster (Kidal, Mopti; "Frequently observed at night during seasonal rains in northern central Mali") ["... may be synonymous to E. pyramidum"]
20-70 cm; in Dogon country, associated with rocky hills; back tan or laterite with light-colored vertebral spots surrounded by darker markings; belly uniformly ivory
Echis
jogeri (Timbuktu, also in southwest J&L) ["may be synonymous with E. leucogaster" J&L]
[Tape & ManŽ suggest that this is the western part of a cline from E.
ocellatus]
Elapidae (p. 39, 6 spp.)
comments (JH): the main local cobras in northern Dogon country are the black spitting cobra Naja nigricollis, and the (non-spitting) Egyptian cobra Naja haje haje. Cobras rear the front third of the body and spread the hood when agitated. If N. katiensis is present it is included under native terms for the similar N. nigricollis. N. melanoleuca is a forest sp. and may have been in the zone before recent desertification. The Egyptian cobra is colored similarly to the local variety of the colubrid Psammophis sibilans, and terms for one may be transferred to the other across Dogon languages (e.g. Beni vs. Nanga).
snakebites: venom of cobras Naja haje haje and N. melanoleuca causes paralysis, leading to coma and asphyxiation; the spitting cobras also shoot venom into the eyes of prey, blinding them.
Dendroaspis polylepis "black mamba" ("Probably includes southern Mali" J&L, but no records in T&M)
diurnal, arboreal, in savanna; feeds on birds and lizards; venom strongly neurotoxic, shutting down lungs & heart (always fatal if not counteracted by antivenin); body uniform brown (juveniles may be olive green), scales have black edges, inside of mouth black; belly light grey; average adult 2.5 m. A very fast-moving arboreal species, believed by Africans in its geographical domain to chase humans, and such beliefs may extend much farther north
image: zmuc
Naja spp. (cobras)
species key (Chippaux):
eye separated from superior labials by a row of small subocular scales: haje
at least one superior labial in contact with eye
two superior labials in contact with eye: melanoleuca
only one superior labial in contact with eye
largest inferior labial is 4th from front; more than 195 ventrals: nigricollis
largest inferior labial is 5th from front, fewer than 195 ventrals: katiensis
Naja haje haje "Egyptian cobra" (recorded in Timbuktu and points south; specimens seen in Douentza area)
very big and long, 140-220 cm; color variable, often brown to olive brown or dark olive green; biting cobra, nocturnal
image: zmuc (Naja haje)
many images on web
Naja katiensis (records in southern Mali, not recorded in Dogon country)
30-90 cm, a small spitting cobra, back uniform brown to red-brown with lighter belly, two dark transverse bands on neck area behind head
images on web
Naja melanoleuca (records in southern Mali, not recorded in Dogon country)
150-220 cm, biting cobra, stays not far from water; back broack, with or without yellowish areas; belly black with wide yellowish bands esp. in front of body, side and bottom of head yellowish with black fringe on scales
image: zmuc
images on web
Naja nigricollis (only J&L record is Bougouni, but T&M have records along Mali-Burkina border area; sp. is also widespread in Dogon and Songhay country)
110-170 cm; often around villages; nocturnal, feeds on birds and small mammals; can shoot venom up to 2 meters, can also bite; back uniform blackish; belly black with pink or yellowish transverse bands; average adult 1.5 m long.
images on web
image: zmuc