Suta gaikhorstorum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Elapidae |
Genus: | Suta |
Species: | S. gaikhorstorum
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Binomial name | |
Suta gaikhorstorum Maryan, Brennan, Hutchinson & Geidans, 2020
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Suta gaikhorstorum, also known as the Pilbara hooded snake, is a species of venomous snake that is endemic to Australia. The specific epithet gaikhorstorum honours naturalists Klaas and Mieke Gaikhorst of the Armadale Reptile & Wildlife Centre. [1]
The species grows to an average of about 35–36 cm in length, occasionally up to 46 cm. Body colouration is mainly a light to rich reddish-brown with a dark grey to black hood. [1]
The species is found in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, especially in the Hamersley Range. It occurs in heavy, often stony, soils in mulga and eucalypt woodlands with a Triodia understorey. The type locality is 5 km south of the Mount Tom Price mine. [1]