Reptilian snake eel

The Reptilian snake eel (Brachysomophis henshawi, also known as the Henshaw's snake eel, the Hawaiian crocodile eel, or the Crocodile snake eel[1]) is an eel in the family Ophichthidae (worm/snake eels).[2] It was described by David Starr Jordan and John Otterbein Snyder in 1904.[3]

Reptilian snake eel
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Anguilliformes
Family:
Ophichthidae
Genus:
Brachysomophis
Species:
B. henshawi
Binomial name
Brachysomophis henshawi
Jordan & Snyder, 1904

Biology
Brachysomophis henshawi in Panglao Island, Philippines

It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the Indo-Pacific. It dwells at a depth range of 1 to 35 m (3.3–114.8 ft), and inhabits burrows formed in sandy areas in rocky and coral reefs. During the night it often lets its head and neck protrude from its burrow, but during the day it only leaves its snout and some of its head exposed. It can reach a maximum total length of 101 cm (3 ft 4 in).[2]

Etymology

The species epithet "henshawi" was given in honour of Henry W. Henshaw.[2]

References
  1. Common names of Brachysomophis henshawi at www.fishbase.org.
  2. Brachysomophis henshawi at www.fishbase.org.
  3. Jordan, D. S. and J. O. Snyder, 1904. Notes on collections of fishes from Oahu Island and Laysan Island, Hawaii, with descriptions of four new species. Proceedings of the United States National Museum v. 27 (no. 1377): 939-948.


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