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Squamata, Serpentes: Pareatidae - Oriental Slug Eating Snakes |
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| The Oriental Slug Eating Snakes have long been considered a subfamily of the Colubridae, although as long ago as 1956 Alfred Romer considered them distinct at the family level based on morphology. However, recent molecular evidence has suggested that this small group of snakes is indeed a lineage distinct from the family Colubridae (Vidal et al. 2007, C. R. Biologies 330:182-187). They have short skulls; relatively large eyes; a large nasal gland; have a relatively low number of scales at mid body (13-15 rows); the chin shields have no midline groove, and extend across the chin; they are nocturnal; they feed mostly upon gastropods and small vertebrates; and they lay eggs. These snakes form a basal lineage of the advanced snakes (Caenophidia). There are 3 genera and about 15 species currently recognized, all inhabit Southeast Asia. | |
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