''Mehelya'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

name of

colubrid Colubridae (, commonly known as colubrids , from la, coluber, 'snake') is a family of snakes. With 249 genera, it is the largest snake family. The earliest species of the family date back to the Oligocene epoch. Colubrid snakes are found on ev ...

snake Snakes are elongated, limbless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes . Like all other squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with several more j ...

s from

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

. Some

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

formerly assigned to the genus ''Mehelya'' are now found in the genera '' Gonionotophis'', '' Gracililima'', or '' Limaformosa''. They are collectively called file snakes due to their unusual scalation. They are not

venomous Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...

Etymology

The

generic Generic or generics may refer to: In business * Generic term, a common name used for a range or class of similar things not protected by trademark * Generic brand, a brand for a product that does not have an associated brand or trademark, other ...

name, ''Mehelya'', is in honor of Hungarian

zoologist Zoology ()The pronunciation of zoology as is usually regarded as nonstandard, though it is not uncommon. is the branch of biology that studies the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and d ...

Lajos Méhelÿ Lajos Méhelÿ (August 24, 1862 – February 4, 1953) was a Hungarian zoologist, herpetologist, professor, and prolific author. He is one of the greatest, but also one of the most controversial, personalities in the history of Hungarian zoology ...

Species

There are five species within the genus ''Mehelya''. www.reptile-database.org. *''

Mehelya egbensis ''Mehelya'' is a genus name of colubrid snakes from Africa. Some species formerly assigned to the genus ''Mehelya'' are now found in the genera ''Gonionotophis'', ''Gracililima'', or ''Limaformosa''. They are collectively called file snakes due ...

'' – Dunger's file snake *''

Mehelya gabouensis ''Mehelya'' is a genus name of colubrid snakes from Africa. Some species formerly assigned to the genus ''Mehelya'' are now found in the genera ''Gonionotophis'', ''Gracililima'', or ''Limaformosa''. They are collectively called file snakes due ...

'' – Gabou file snake *''

Mehelya laurenti ''Mehelya'' is a genus name of colubrid snakes from Africa. Some species formerly assigned to the genus ''Mehelya'' are now found in the genera ''Gonionotophis'', ''Gracililima'', or ''Limaformosa''. They are collectively called file snakes due ...

'' – file snake *''

Mehelya poensis ''Mehelya'' is a genus name of colubrid snakes from Africa. Some species formerly assigned to the genus ''Mehelya'' are now found in the genera ''Gonionotophis'', ''Gracililima'', or ''Limaformosa''. They are collectively called file snakes due ...

'' – forest file snake, western forest file snake *''

Mehelya stenopthalmus ''Mehelya'' is a genus name of colubrid snakes from Africa. Some species formerly assigned to the genus ''Mehelya'' are now found in the genera ''Gonionotophis'', ''Gracililima'', or ''Limaformosa''. They are collectively called file snakes due ...

'' – small-eyed file snake ''

Nota bene (, or ; plural form ) is a Latin phrase meaning "note well". It is often abbreviated as NB, n.b., or with the ligature and first appeared in English writing . In Modern English, it is used, particularly in legal papers, to draw the atten ...

'': A binomial authoity in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than ''Mehelya''.

Geographic range

File snakes are found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, from the

Cape A cape is a clothing accessory or a sleeveless outer garment which drapes the wearer's back, arms, and chest, and connects at the neck. History Capes were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon. Th ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...

through

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and ...

and

Botswana Botswana (, ), officially the Republic of Botswana ( tn, Lefatshe la Botswana, label= Setswana, ), is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Botswana is topographically flat, with approximately 70 percent of its territory being the Kalaha ...

to the

Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (french: République démocratique du Congo (RDC), colloquially "La RDC" ), informally Congo-Kinshasa, DR Congo, the DRC, the DROC, or the Congo, and formerly and also colloquially Zaire, is a country in ...

and further.

Description

File snakes are not large snakes, growing to around . Their dorsal scales are most peculiar. Large patches of bare skin are seen, and scales are separated by large gaps. These scales are strongly keeled, giving the snake the feel of a file - hence the common name. Their body shape is triangular in cross section, which has been noted amongst other "cannibalistic" snakes, and may also provide some sort of benefit for them within their burrowing lifestyle.

Habitat

File snakes generally occupy more humid regions, but are found in hotter desert areas, too.

Behaviour

File snakes are, by nature, burrowers. They will occupy old, abandoned burrows of rodents where they shelter from the heat in the relative coolness underground. They are also adept at burrowing for themselves, their flattened head aiding them to push their way through the earth and leaf litter. This genus is nocturnal, becoming active at night to hunt prey – other reptiles.

Diet

The genus ''Mehelya'' feeds mainly on snakes and small lizards, such as geckos. Like many genera that feed solely on snakes, it has developed a triangular body shape as opposed to the plump, rounded body of other snakes.