Phalotris mertensi is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to central eastern South America.
Etymology The specific name, mertensi, is in honor of German herpetologist Robert Mertens.
Geographic distribution Phalotris mertensi is found in southeastern Brazil, in the Brazilian states of Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, and São Paulo. It is also found in eastern Paraguay.
Habitat The preferred natural habitat of Phalotris mertensi is savanna.
Description A medium-sized species of snake, Phalotris mertensi may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of . Males reach sexual maturity at SVL, and females at .
Behavior Phalotris mertensi is fossorial, and it is both diurnal and nocturnal.
Diet Phalotris mertensi preys upon caecilians.
Reproduction Phalotris mertensi is oviparous. Clutch size is from three to seven eggs.
References
Further reading (Phalotris mertensi, new combination). (in Portuguese). 189 pp. (Elapomorphus mertensi, p. 97). (Elapomorphus mertensi, new species). (in German). xxviii + 1,209 pp. (Phalotris mertensi, p. 547).