Crotaphopeltis hippocrepis / Horseshoe Herald Snake / Crotaphopeltis hippocrepis

$120.00

出品者: Ngannou Animal🇨🇲 Cameroon

**Crotaphopeltis hippocrepis** **Common name:** Horseshoe Herald Snake **Other names:** Western Herald Snake, Hippocrepis Herald Snake **Family:** Colubridae **Distribution:** West and Central Africa, including Cameroon **Lifestyle:** Terrestrial and semi-arboreal **Habitat:** Savannas, grasslands, woodland, and forest-savanna mosaics **Reproduction:** Oviparous **Adult size:** Approximately 50–80 cm *Crotaphopeltis hippocrepis* is a distinctive West and Central African colubrid commonly associated with savanna and woodland habitats. It is a slender snake with smooth scales and a characteristic dark marking on the sides of the head. The species is distributed across a broad region of West and Central Africa, including Cameroon, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Mali, Nigeria, Chad, and South Sudan. Its coloration is generally composed of various shades of brown, without the prominent white spotting seen in some other members of the genus. Juveniles may show a conspicuous pale marking around the back of the head, while adults tend to develop a more subdued overall appearance. The Horseshoe Herald Snake is primarily terrestrial but may also move through low vegetation. It is an active predator and is adapted to warm, seasonal African environments. The species is oviparous, laying eggs during the breeding season. *Crotaphopeltis hippocrepis* is relatively uncommon in the international captive trade and is particularly interesting to specialist keepers and collectors focusing on African colubrids. Its restricted presence in captivity and distinctive head markings make it a noteworthy species for a specialized collection. Like other members of *Crotaphopeltis*, it is a rear-fanged colubrid with venom-associated adaptations and should be handled with appropriate precautions by experienced keepers. **Notable features:** Smooth scales, brown coloration, distinctive dark head markings, savanna-associated ecology, rear-fanged dentition, and rarity in the captive trade.