Cryptophis Explained

Cryptophis is a genus of venomous snakes in the family Elapidae. The genus is native to Australia and New Guinea.

Species

The following five species are recognized as being valid.

• Cryptophis boschmai - Carpentaria whip snake
• Cryptophis incredibilis
• Cryptophis nigrescens - small-eyed snake, eastern small-eyed snake, short-tailed snake
• Cryptophis nigrostriatus - black-striped snake
• Cryptophis pallidiceps - western Carpentaria snake, northern small-eyed snake

Nota bene

A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Cryptophis.

Etymology

The generic name is a combination of the Greek words κρυπτός (concealed, hidden, secret) and ὄφις (snake).

Further reading

• Worrell E (1961). "Herpetological Name Changes". West Australian Naturalist 8: 18–27. (Cryptophis, new genus).