The British Herpetological Society

The Herpetological Journal is the Society's prestigious quarterly scientific journal. Articles are listed in Biological Abstracts, Current Awareness in Biological Sciences,Current Contents, Science Citation Index, and Zoological Record.

 ISSN 0268-0130

2021 Impact Factor from Clarivate for the Herpetological Journal is 1.194, an increase of 0.332 from 2020.


pdf 02. Ecological data of Nigerian Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia (Colubridae) populations

1092 downloads

Open Access

Authors: Eniang, Edem A.; Akani, Godfrey C.; Rugiero, Lorenzo; Vignoli, Leonardo & Luiselli, Luca

Abstract: We present field ecological data for the snake Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia (Colubridae) from southern Nigeria. Adult sex-ratio was close to equal, and females attained significantly larger body size than males (on average 470 mm versus 400 mm SVL). Annual above-ground activity peaked during the wet months. A preponderance of snakes were captured in agricultural lands (plantations and farmlands), whereas few snakes were captured in both mangroves and mature forests. Anurans accounted for over 70% of the total prey items; lizards (Scincidae and Agamidae) were also frequently preyed upon. The food niche breadth and diet composition was similar between sexes. There was no apparent ontogenetic dietary change in this species.

Keywords: SNAKE, CROTAPHOPELTIS HOTAMBOEIA, NIGERIA, ECOLOGY, PHENOLOGY

Download Access:

The latest 8 issues can be downloaded when logged in with a Herpetological Journal subscription membership.

Individual articles can be purchased for download.

Older issues and occasional Open Access articles are available for public download

Submissions:

For further information and submission guidelines please see our Journal Instructions to Authors

pdfBHS Ethics Policy

IMPORTANT NOTE - JUNE 2020

Please note that as from Volume 31 Number 1 (January 2021) on, the Herpetological Journal will be available as an online publication only - the last print edition will be Volume 30 Number 4.   

Aligning with this change, it is now no longer possible to purchase a subscription that includes a print copy of the HJ.  All members who have existing HJ print subscriptions that remain active as at end June 2020 will receive the full four 2020 print editions.  New subscribers or renewals after this time will only have option to subscribe to the online only subscription package.  Subscription pricing has been amended to reflect the content changes.