Colubridae
Hoogstraal's catsnake
HarmlessTelescopus hoogstraali
3 photographs of the Hoogstraal's catsnake. (c) omermeshulam, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).
The Hoogstraal's catsnake (Telescopus hoogstraali) is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 3 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Hoogstraal's catsnake
Telescopus hoogstraali, common names of which include Hoogstraal's cat snake and the Sinai cat snake, is an endangered species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the Middle East.
Etymology
The specific name, hoogstraali, is in honor of American entomologist and parasitologist Harry Hoogstraal.
Description
T. hoogstraali has a black-coloured neck and head. Its eyes are small with vertical, cat-like pupils. The snake's underbelly is grey and is covered with black spots.
Geographic range
T. hoogstraali is found around the Sinai region, in Egypt and Israel, as well as Jordan.
In Egypt, it is found in Santa Catarina and Gebel Maghara of northern Sinai Peninsula, while in Israel it can be found only in Negev Desert. It is also known from one city in Jordan, Petra.
Habitat
T. hoogstraali can be found at an elevation of 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) in natural habitats such as subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, rocky areas, and hot deserts.
Behaviour
T. hoogstraali is terrestrial.
Reproduction
T. hoogstraali is oviparous.
Conservation status
T. hoogstraali is threatened by habitat loss and distribution.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Hoogstraal's catsnake
- Is the Hoogstraal's catsnake venomous?
- The Hoogstraal's catsnake (Telescopus hoogstraali) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.
- Is the Hoogstraal's catsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Hoogstraal's catsnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Hoogstraal's catsnake dangerous?
- The Hoogstraal's catsnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Hoogstraal's catsnake live?
- The Hoogstraal's catsnake has verified records in 3 countries, including Israel, Egypt, Jordan. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Hoogstraal's catsnake?
- The specific name, hoogstraali, is in honor of American entomologist and parasitologist Harry Hoogstraal.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Cat SnakeTelescopus fallax
Common Tiger SnakeTelescopus semiannulatus
Arabian Cat SnakeTelescopus dhara
Karoo Tiger SnakeTelescopus beetzi
North African CatsnakeTelescopus tripolitanus
West African Cat SnakeTelescopus variegatus
Blue Nile Cat SnakeTelescopus gezirae
Soosan Tiger SnakeTelescopus tessellatus
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Telescopus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Telescopus hoogstraali
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.