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Pseudocyclophis persicus (Persian Snake)


Pseudocyclophis persicus (Persian Snake)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3389 W: 139 N: 3987] (10514)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-05
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna, Snakes - Serpientes - Serpents, RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 3 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-22 3:19
Viewed: 640
Points: 61
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Pseudocyclophis persicus (Persian Dwarf Snake/Persian Snake) [in Turk. Iran Yılanı]

Persian Dwarf Snake is relatively small, rare, aglyphous (non-venomous) snake with a maximum length of 40 cm.
It is distributed in SE Anatolia (Turkey), Iran and Iraq with a vertical distribution to 1500 m.
The body is slender from the behind of the neck to tail base; the small head is distinct from neck. The dorsal scales are smooth, ordered into 15 rows at midbody. Typically, rostral plate approximately twice as wide as high, visible from above; the length of the suture between internasal plates almost equals (or relatively longer) the suture between the posterior-situated prefrontal plates. Frontal plate is 1.5 times longer than wide, about 1.5 times wider than supraocular plate, equal in length to its distance to the end of snout, shorter than parietal plates [See the portrait capture for these features]. The nostril is situated in an undivided elongate nasal plate. 7 upper labial plates: 3rd and 4th bordering eyes; 7-8 lower labial plates. The eyes are small, almost black with a round pupil. There are 189-221 ventral plates on the belly. Anal plate was divided. Also it has 44-84 paired subcaudal plates plus one conical scale at the tail tip. The dorsum is uniformly immaculate brownish light grey; however the center of each scale is darker. The belly has a solid and pale coloration with no spotting.
Generally, three black blotches are seen on head and nape of neck; one transverse dark bar between eyes, another on parietal plates, and a third on the nape of the neck which can be seen below the throat. However, some variation is seen on this pattern. Sometimes the blotches on the head are joined forming a single larger blotch on the head. The black transversal blotch on the nape of neck may be joined to the black maculation on top of head, or separated from it by a wide or narrow transversal stripe (as seen in my capture here). Although the species is monotypic, the Turkish representatives have lower subcaudal plate numbers (44-60) and two black blotches on the top of head and neck.

The biology of this species is fairly unknown. It is a fossorial snake and inhabits in rock and semidesert areas, mountains, usually under rocks. It is oviparous; 3-8 eggs lay in summer period. It feeds predominantly on small insects and spiders, rarely consumes small lizards.

Bayram

References:
1. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
2. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
3. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
4. Latifi, M. (1991). The Snakes of Iran. Comtributions to Herpetology, Nr.7, SSAR, USA, 159 pp.
uleko, Argus, montivipera, cicindela, zulfu, bahadir, xTauruSx, nkasot, gerbilratz, jaycee, haraprasan, kaytan, Silvio2006, nglen, matatur, mariki, Ena, degani, bahar, hester, rousettus, yasemin, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To bahar: Sağol Baharboreocypriensis 1 03-23 14:06
To matatur: Teşekkür Hocaboreocypriensis 1 03-22 13:53
To nglen: Hello Nickboreocypriensis 1 03-22 13:34
To Gert-Paassen: :) Hi Gertboreocypriensis 1 03-22 10:41
To haraprasan: Hello My Dear Friend Haraprasanboreocypriensis 1 03-22 10:40
To jaycee: Hello my dear Friend Janeboreocypriensis 1 03-22 10:38
To cicindela: Hello Radekboreocypriensis 1 03-22 04:28
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To montivipera: Selam Naşitboreocypriensis 1 03-22 04:11
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Critiques [Translate]

Immagine molto bella, buone DOF e composizione, buona nitidezza e molto belli i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2340 W: 164 N: 7010] (22194)
  • [2008-03-22 3:33]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,
Another beautiful Dwarf snake as my neighbour today! This one with less black markings on the head. Excellent capture showing sharp details and fine colours. Well composed too!
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2451 W: 132 N: 6982] (21825)
  • [2008-03-22 3:34]

Hello Bayram,
Excellent portait of the Persian Dwarf Snake from a POV that shows the general features clearly and atractively in this composition.
This looks like a species that is a candidate for research!
Thanks for sharing this fine image and have anice weekend my friend,
Ivan

Merhaba Hocam,
Gene hakkında çok fazla bilgi bulunmayan güzel bir türü paylaşmışsınız. Eklediğiniz bilgiler de çok faydalı. İtiraf edeyim, bir şeye bakmak istediğimde eğer buraya eklediğiniz türlerden biriyse direk açıp TN'deki notlarınızdan bakıyorum.
Elinize sağlık, paylaşım için teşekkürler.
Saygılar
Naşit

Hi Bayram!
Another interesting reptile species from you. At first I though that this is just another capture of Rhynchocalamus melanocephalus but that I compare both pictures and the differences are really clear :)
Anyway, this time a little better DOF would be nice to keep all parts of snake's body in the focus :)
All the best and have a very fruitful trip!!!
Radomir

hello bayram,
the snake has been captured well, the scales are visible with good dhsrpness, natural colors, liked the pov and the composition,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 455 W: 0 N: 69] (488)
  • [2008-03-22 4:34]

Merhaba Hocam, nefis bir çekim ve detaylı bilgiler. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Hocam her zamanki gibi güzel ve ender bulunan bir yılanın harika bir total görünümü. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Hello Bayram,
Beautiful photo of this Persian Dwarf Snake. Very good sharpness and details and good natural colours. Nice composition.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 985 W: 284 N: 3187] (10536)
  • [2008-03-22 5:22]

Hello Bayram,
great depth of field to show the entire snake with pretty good sharpness.
Beautiful natural colours.
Best wishes, Peter

Selam Hocam çekim hemen göze batıyor:) sizden başka sürüngen koyan yok bugün sanırım:) Paskalya zamanı olunca böyle oluyor demekki. Nefis bir çekim yine. Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

Hocam mükkemmel bir çekim. Rhynchocalamus ile olaan frkı da belirtmisşiniz. Elinize sağlık.
Kıbrıs'tan selamlar,
Nazım

Bonjour,
Quelle couleur étonnante !
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Fabulous colours to this reptile, sharp and focused enough to see the scales and finer details, Great notes,TFS and best regards h

Hi Bayram,

I like this one!! The color combination is just beautiful. The details of the head and skin are razor sharp and crystal clear. I wouldn't mind meeting this one!

Jane

Hi Bayram,
A nice capture of this beautiful Persian Snake. Excellent sharp details and a fine composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi Snake man,

these species is so as usual good sharp with beautiful colors.

regards Gert

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1554 W: 233 N: 5217] (18329)
  • [2008-03-22 11:38]

Hello Geckoman,
you show yet another snake that I've never heard of before!
Soon every member on TN will know every snake in Europe of-by-heart :-)
Nice matt colouring and great light.
Great composition and POV.
Superb DOF.
I will miss your photos while you're away but I hope you enjoy your stay in Cyprus!

My best regards Bayram.
Happy Easter!

Joe

Merhaba Bayram,
Selam!!
Very good close up of the Persian Snake!
perfect sharpness, good colour and details in the shot
many thanks for the notes regarding this species
greeting
Tony

Hi Bayram, great king of snake in TN, a lovely portrait of beautiful Persian snake with great details and splendid sharpness, very well done, Happy Easter, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1872 W: 2 N: 5040] (19298)
  • [2008-03-22 13:19]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram. I said to you a few days ago i was not to keen on snakes well i am now starting to look out for your pictures i am seeing them in a different way now. You have captured this one with good detail and natural looking colours. You have taken the time to write interesting notes too. well done TFS.
Nick..
have a nice weekend .

PS dont think i am ready to hold one just yet.

Hello Bayram,

just marking,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • Ena Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 61 N: 568] (2327)
  • [2008-03-23 2:12]

Selam Bayram,
Beautiful specimen!
Regards
Ena

İranlıyı doğal renkleri ve görünümü ile çok net yakalamışsın Bayram, zemin de, kim ne derse desin, cuk oturmuş, kutlarım.

hi Bayram,
this snake has a great elegance and you have made a beautiful portrait of it, good note too, all as always my friend
kind regards
franco

  • Great 
  • bahar Silver Star Critiquer [C: 22 W: 0 N: 5] (38)
  • [2008-03-23 11:52]
  • [+]

Selamlar hocam,
Paylaşımınız için teşekkürler.
İyi çalışmalar
Bahar

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1285 W: 104 N: 4529] (20195)
  • [2008-03-23 12:20]

Hello Bayram, another great shot of a reptile. The composition is very well done and the technique is fine. Thanks, happy Easter to you!

Mario

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1464 W: 18 N: 2950] (10828)
  • [2008-03-24 13:21]

Hi Bayram

Such a beautiful snake. The colour is wonderful. Again you have a lovely sharp image and have caught the gorgeous textures in the skin.

TFS

Karan

öğrenciyken görmüştüm bir kez. çok güzel renkleri var. bu güzel renk ve desen fotoğrafla bütünleşince ortaya güzel bir kompozisyon çıkmış. eline sağlık haci. selamlar.

Bu yilan da cok degisik. Ne kadar koyu ve canli bir kahve renk. Keske buda Kibrista olsaydi:). Eline saglik kardesim.
Leyla

Great colours and fine definition on scales...this is a beautiful snake... well photographed... excellent upload!... cypturk

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