Ptyas is a genus of colubrid snakes.[1] This genus is one of several colubrid genera colloquially called "rat snakes" or "ratsnakes".

Ptyas
Ptyas mucosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Colubrinae
Genus: Ptyas
Fitzinger, 1843
Species

13, see text

Synonyms
  • Cyclophiops Boulenger, 1888
  • Zaocys Cope, 1860

The generic name derives from Ancient Greek πτυάς, meaning "spitter", which referred to a kind of snake believed to spit venom in the eyes of humans, although in reality none of the Ptyas are known to spit venom.[2][3]

Species

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13 species are recognized:[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Ptyas at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 9 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Ptyas dhumnades - Big-eyed Ratsnake".
  3. ^ "πτυάς". Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias.
  4. ^ David, P.; Vogel, G. (1996). The Snakes of Sumatra: An Annotated Checklist and Key with Natural History Notes. Edition Chimaira. Ed. Chimaira. p. 104. ISBN 978-3-930612-08-6. Retrieved 10 June 2019. Coluber dhumnades Cantor, 1842 by original designation. Was synonymised with Ptyas by Wall (1923b) and Taylor (1965).
  5. ^ Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 162. ISBN 978-1-4214-0227-7. Retrieved 10 June 2019.

Further reading

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  • Fitzinger, L. 1843. Systema Reptilium, Fasciculus Primus, Amblyglossae. Braumüller & Seidel. Vienna. 106 pp. + indices. (Ptyas, p. 26.)