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Reptiles Database
Order Squamata
Infraorder Henophidia (Boidea)
Family Bolyeridae
This family consists of only two species, Casarea dussumieri and Bolyeria multocarinata.
Appearance: Colubroid. Unique among vertebrates in having each maxilla jointed into a separate anterior and posterior element ("split maxilla"). No vestiges of hind limbs. Left lung reduced. Bolyeriids have hypapophyses (ventral projections of the vertebral column) on the posterior trunk vertebrae, which are absent in all other snakes.
Size: 80-138 cm
Distribution: Mascarene Islands; Round Island (near Mauritius) in the western Indian Ocean. Extinct on Mauritius due to human influence, in particular foraging pigs.
Habitat: no information available.
Food: Lizards (skinks, geckoes)
Reproduction: Oviparous (Casarea), Bolyeria unknown.
Behavior: no information available.
Relationships: Previously considered as subfamily of the Boidae (e.g. by GRZIMEK et al. 1970), but sufficiently diverged to be included in a separate family.
List of genera:
References:
Zug,G.R. (1993)
Herpetology
Academic Press San Diego, London, ..., XV + 527 pp.
ISBN 0-12-782620-3
Anthony,J. & Guibé,J. (1952)
Les affinites anatomiques de Bolyeria et de Casarea (Boides).
Mémoires de l'Institut Scientifique de Madagascar 7:
189-201