The Oriental odd-tooth snake (Lycodon orientalis), sometimes called the Japanese odd-tooth snake, is a species endemic to Japan, belonging to the family Colubridae. It is found in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, the Goto Islands, Iki Island, Izu Ōshima, the Oki Islands, Sado Island, Tanegashima, and Yakushima. It has also been reported in Shiashkotan, one of the Chishima Islands.* Reptarium Reptile Database : Dinodon orientale (Hilgendorf, 1880) accessed 27 August 2012
The snake was first described in 1880 by both HilgendorfHilgendorf, 1880. Bemerkungen über die von ihm in Japan gesammelten Schlangen nebst Beschreibungen zweier neuer Schlangenarten. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin, 1880, n. 8, p.111-121 (original text). and GüntherGünther, 1880 : Description of Ophites japonicus, a new snake from Japan. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, ser. 5, vol. 6, p. 462 (original text). However, according to StejnegerStejneger, 1907 : Herpetology of Japan and adjacent territory. Bulletin - United States National Museum, vol. 58, p. 373 (original text). the description by Hilgendorf was published before that of Günther.
Description and habitat The full-length snake is about 30–70 cm and has black stripes with a lighter coloured underside. They live in the forest, mainly in the forest floor, and prey upon other snakes, frogs and lizards, such as Achalinus spinalis, the Japanese common toad (Bufo japonicus), Takydromus tachydromoides, and Plestiodon japonicus.
References
External links Animal Diversity Web : Dinodon orientale accessed 27 August 2012