May 31, 2017 January 1, 2018 by mondaymorgue
banded Malayan coral snake, Calliophis intestinalis, CCNR, Central Catchment Area, Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Central Nature Reserves, coral snakes, Elapidae, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, LKCNHM, MacRitchie, Maticora intestinalis, Old World coral snakes, reptiles, Serpentes, Singapore Biodiversity Records, snakes, Squamata, squamates, Venus Drive, Windsor Nature Park
Fig. 2. View of original position of the snake in the phytotelma upon discovery.
Fig. 3. View of snake rearranged to feature head and severed part of the
Fig. 4. View of the dorsum of the snake rearranged within the phytotelma.
Fig. 5. View of the dorsum of the snake, with its head at the lowest point.
Photographs by Connor Butler
Carcass of Banded Malayan Coral Snake (Calliophis intestinalis) in a phytotelma
Location, date and time: Singapore Island, Windsor Nature Park, Venus Loop; 20 April 2017; 1000 hrs.
Observation: The anterior two-thirds of a dead Banded Malayan Coral Snake was found partially submerged in the phytotelma (Fig. 2). The posterior section of the snake's body appeared to have been bluntly removed (Fig. 3). The remaining portion was 25 cm in length (Fig. 4 & 5).
Remarks: The incomplete carcass of the snake suggests that it had been partially eaten. As the Banded Malayan Coral Snake has semi-fossorial habits (see Baker & Lim, 2012: 116), its presence in the elevated phytotelma suggests that it was carried there. Possible predators include raptorial birds such as owls (see Chan, 2013), and
squirrels (see Ogilvie, 1958; Baker, 2017).
Baker, N., 2017. Slender Squirrel preying on gecko. Singapore Biodiversity Records. 2017: 54.
Baker, N. & K. K. P. Lim, 2012. Wild Animals of Singapore. A Photographic Guide to Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians and Freshwater Fishes. Updated edition. Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte. Ltd. and Nature Society (Singapore). 180 pp.
Chan K. W., 2013. Pink-headed Reed Snake captured by Buffy Fish Owl. Singapore Biodiversity Records. 2013: 89.
Ogilvie, C. S., 1958. The Arrow-tailed Flying Squirrel Hylopetes sagitta (Linne). The Malayan Nature Journal. 12 (4): 149-152.
Source: Singapore Biodiversity Records 2017: 71-72
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