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Hemorrhois nummifer (Coin Snake)


Hemorrhois nummifer (Coin Snake)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3412 W: 148 N: 4221] (11104)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-06
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Cyprus Herpetofauna, Syrian Herpetofauna, Turkish Herpetofauna, Snakes - Serpientes - Serpents [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-19 0:51
Viewed: 886
Points: 51
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hemorrhois nummifer (Coin Snake) [In Turk. Sikkeli Yılan, In Cyp. Turk. “Batsalli”] (A portrait)

Coin Snake is a robust, predominantly diurnal, heliophilous snake. The head is large, flattened and clearly distinct from the neck. Total length reaches up to 140 cm. The snout and pupils are rounded and the eyes have a golden iris. It has usually 3 preocular plates; usually 2, sometimes 3 and rarely 4 postocular plates; usually 9, sometimes 8 or 10 supralabial plates on its head. The body scales are “indistinctly” keeled, posses two apical pits and ordered into 23-25 rows at mid-body. Ventral and subcaudal plate numbes are changed between 196-221 and 79-91 respectively. Anal scale is divided. The coloration and pattern is variable. The dorsum is gray or gray brown with a medial row of dark round or oval black markings, with a black margin [see the two another captures ( “C1” and “C2”) to see total appearance of the species]. They do not fuse but stay always single. Smaller and irregular ordered dark blotches are present on the sides of the body. Dorsal and lateral markings form three stripes or lines on the tail. A dark band extends from the eye to the mouth angle; another dark oblique, incomplete or indistinct, stripe is situated below the eye. The venter is grayish or yellowish-white with fine blackish spots. The margins of the ventral plates have often dark large spots.

It prefers rocky areas with scanty vegetation during the hottest period of the year. It is also active after the sunset and climbs well on rocks, bushes or trees. Usually feeds on lizards, small mammals, birds and chicks; also on gekkonids, occurring at the earthen roofed houses. It is rather shy, escaping rapidly when disturbed. If cornered, it flattens its head, hisses and bites readily, but it is poisonless. It is an oviparous snake species and each female lays 4-10 eggs under stones or into moist soil.

It is widespread in Dodecanese Islands, Rhodos, Cyprus, Turkey (W, S, C Anatolia and western parts of SE Anatolia), and the Mediterranean ecozones of Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Egypt; with a vertical distribution to 2000 m.

Attention: Pattern and coloration of this species, together with its behavioral displays, mimic the vipers, e.g., it forms a coil when approached, hisses loudly and rises its triangular head in an attack behavior. The local people mistake this species with Macrovipera lebetina (Levantine Viper), and thinking it as venomous, usually kill it. The local names “Batsalli” (“spotted”) and “Sagir Yilan” (“deaf snake”) are usually used for both of these species.

Bayram
zulfu, Jamesp, bahadir, mariki, xTauruSx, rousettus, meyerd, montivipera, nkasot, goldyrs, jaycee, matatur, gerbilratz, jpdenk, Ena, uleko, yasemin, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To cako: Teşekkürboreocypriensis 1 03-19 17:04
To SkyF: Hello Skyboreocypriensis 1 03-19 16:15
To Silvio2006: Hello Silvioboreocypriensis 1 03-19 14:25
To gerbilratz: hello Howardboreocypriensis 1 03-19 14:21
To PeterZ: Hello Peterboreocypriensis 1 03-19 14:20
To jignasi: Hello Jignasiboreocypriensis 1 03-19 14:15
To goldyrs: Hello Bro Elephantman:-)boreocypriensis 1 03-19 10:25
To matatur: Selamlar Hocamboreocypriensis 1 03-19 10:07
To Mana: Hello Sumonboreocypriensis 1 03-19 09:56
To Ena: Hello Enaboreocypriensis 1 03-19 09:55
To joey: hello my OwlMan friend Joeboreocypriensis 1 03-19 09:47
To jaycee: Hello my heartfelt friend Janeboreocypriensis 1 03-19 09:43
To nkasot: Merhabalaaarr:)boreocypriensis 1 03-19 09:36
To montivipera: Teşşekürlerboreocypriensis 1 03-19 09:35
To meyerd: Hello My dear Friend Dietrichboreocypriensis 1 03-19 09:34
To Gert-Paassen: Hello Gertboreocypriensis 1 03-19 01:55
To xTauruSx: Sağolboreocypriensis 1 03-19 01:40
To mariki: Hello My Dear Friend Marieboreocypriensis 1 03-19 01:40
To bahadir: Teşekkürboreocypriensis 1 03-19 01:40
To Jamesp: Hello Jamesboreocypriensis 1 03-19 01:39
To zulfu: Teşekkürboreocypriensis 1 03-19 01:38
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 479 W: 0 N: 70] (491)
  • [2008-03-19 1:03]
  • [+]

Nefis bir makro hocam. Yakında çalışma yapmak isteyen herpetologlar sizin fotoğrafları ziyaret etcek sanırım. Pholidosis bedava:) der gibisiniz. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Hi Bayram

A great shot - good composition and POV with wonderful colour and detail. Well observed and captured.

James

Hocam her zmanki gibi "mükemmel" bir portre. Tüm detaylar görünüyor. Renkler çok güzel. Özellkle de gözünü çok sevdim:). Teşekkürler.
Bahadır

Hello Bayram,

Very nice close-up of this snake. Very nice composition. Very good sharpness. Nice lighting and natural colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

Harika baş detayları ve renkler. Gözler müthiş hocam. Harika bir yakın çekim. Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

HiBayram,

nice close up!

Regards Gert

sayın dr, güzel bir makro çalışması olmuş. eline sağlık, kadrajı, detayları, kompozisyonu çok güzel. notlar da her zamanki gibi bilgilendirici. selamlar.

Gene çok güzel bir makro hocam, elinize sağlık. Mehmet Hoca'nın da dediği gibi bir de demirbaşlarını verseniz sanal müze gibi hizmet verecek bu fotoğraflar.

Saygılar,
Naşit

Kıbrıs'tan merhebalar hocam. Hemşerimizin nefis baş detayları ile güzel bir portresi. Elinize sağlık.
Nazım

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1584 W: 242 N: 5304] (18669)
  • [2008-03-19 8:08]
  • [+]

Good afternoon Geckoman!
What a fabulous portrait of this Coin Snake!
You've captured that eye really well.
Great composition and POV.
Nice lighting as well.
Where do you find all these reptiles?
Great work Bayram!
Cheers,
Owlman :-)

Hi Bayram,

I really do love these snakes!!! This coin snake is beautiful with the wonderful patterns of his skin. Beautiful silver color with lovely shadings. But the eye - the eye is the winner.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1682 W: 24 N: 4890] (15942)
  • [2008-03-19 8:43]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram,
Another outstanding shot with amazing clarity on the scales. Very neat and sharp image with nice colours and lighting. That eye looks gorgeous and very alert. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Bu güzelin portresi eksikti, bu da gelmiş, iyi olmuş Bayram, eline sağlık.
Mehmet
P. s. işleri yoluna koydum, sıra makalede...

Bro Geckoman!:)
I keep wondering where you keep getting so many reptiles to shoot!
Excellent details!
regards,
Goldy

Eres un artista con los reptiles Bayram !!
Buena disposición del animal, presentado de una forma diferente y atractiva. Interesante color y original formato.
Saludos: J. Ignasi

Hello Bayram,
Beautiful photo of this Coin Snake. Great sharp focus on the head with a good composition and POV.
Regards,
Peter

wonderful pastel colours to the snake. The focus on the scales and eye is first rate, very well done and incredibly useful notes.

Hi again Bayram, also this one is a superb portrait of a splendid snake, excellent details and great sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2008-03-19 15:35]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,
it seems to be relaxed and calm at this moment, maybe reflecting on a busy day ;-).
Very well captured, details and textures look fabulous.
Nice and sharp and the colors are very nice.
TFS..Sky

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 0 N: 317] (1781)
  • [2008-03-19 16:53]
  • [+]

Yine nefis bir makro Bayram bey harika yakalamışsınız ellerinie sağlık.

Hi Bayram, again,
again a wonderful portrait of a little known snake. This species seems to mimic the Vipers. Thanks again for the rich information you provide with the excellent pictures.
Best regards
Dietrich

Hi Bayram,

Nice close-up of this snake's head, very sharp and detailed.

Thanks,
John

  • Great 
  • Ena Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 61 N: 568] (2327)
  • [2008-03-20 10:04]
  • [+]

Selam Bayram,
Great capture!
Good composition and nice natural colors!
TFS
Ena

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2378 W: 164 N: 7139] (22556)
  • [2008-03-21 5:29]

Hello Bayram,
Excellent close-up on this beautiful snake with good focus on the 'kind'(!) eye. Well composed and an interesting note too.
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

Bu da o yilanin basi demek. aslinda yuzu baya guzelmis. pullari ve gozu muhtesem cekmissin. eline saglik. Leyla

Hi Dr Bayram...This portre is perfect for snake .. Patten and colour look like three others snake.. I reading information which is very usefull..I learn a lot about snake but still I am affraid...Take care...Merih

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