| Smooth-scaled death adder | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Acanthophis |
| Species: | A. laevis
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| Binomial name | |
| Acanthophis laevis Macleay, 1878
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| Synonyms | |
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List
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The smooth-scaled death adder (Acanthophis laevis) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Acanthophis laevis is an ambush predator, lying in wait to capture fast-moving prey like mammals and lizards. Death adders (genus Acanthophis) have a broad diet, mainly consisting of frogs, lizards, and mammals. Females grow larger than males; tail length and head shape also differ between sexes in some species.[2]
Distribution and habitat
A. laevis is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.[3]
Reproduction
A. laevis is ovoviviparous.[3]
References
- ^ Tallowin, O.; O'Shea, M.; Parker, F. (2022) [amended version of 2015 assessment]. "Acanthophis laevis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022 e.T42492778A217802220. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T42492778A217802220.en. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ^ Shine, Richard (2014). "Morphology, Reproduction and Diet in Australian and Papuan Death Adders (Acanthophis, Elapidae)". PLOS ONE. 9 (4) e94216. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...994216S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0094216. PMC 3981772. PMID 24718608.
- ^ a b Acanthophis laevis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 16 February 2016.
Further reading
- Macleay W (1878). "The Ophidians of the Chevert Expedition". The Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 2: 33–41. (Acanthophis laevis, new species, pp. 40–41)
- Wilson, S.; Swan, G. (2023). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia (Sixth ed.). Sydney: Reed New Holland Publishers. ISBN 978-1-92554-671-2. (Acanthophis laevis, pp. 576–577)
- Wüster W; Dumbrell AJ; Hay C; Pook CE; Williams DJ; Fry BG (2005). "Snakes across the Strait: trans-Torresian phylogeographic relationships in three genera of Australasian snakes (Serpentes: Elapidae: Acanthophis, Oxyuranus, and Pseudechis)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 34 (1): 1–14. Bibcode:2005MolPE..34....1W. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2004.08.018. PMID 15579378.
