Desert whipsnake
# Desert whipsnake

The desert whip snake (Demansia cyanochasma) is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae, identified as a new species in 2023. Its venom is mild and not deadly for humans.

## Etymology

The cyanochasma in the name of the species is means "blue gap", referring to its distinctive blue-colored body that is modified from the Greek words kyanós (κυανός), meaning blue, and khásma (χάσμα), meaning gap.

## Description

The snake is characterized by its length of 70-90 cm and slender physique, which gives it a comparatively small head and short fangs. Unlike other species of whip snake, this species stands out with its bluish-grey body accompanied by a copper head and tail. Additionally, it displays less black on its scales compared to its closest relative.

The snake is particularly preys on small and fast desert lizards, as it acts as a pursuit predator. The species is known for its timid nature and has a tendency to flee at the first sign of danger. The desert whip snake is primarily diurnal, meaning it is most active during the day. The females engage in annual reproduction, typically occurring between mid to late spring and early summer.

The venom of the desert whip snake is primarily adapted to target smaller animals, so the zootoxin is doesn't pose a significant danger to humans. However, a bite from this snake can result in pain and swelling in humans. It is capable of biting when provoked or handled, however there have been no notable instances of snake bites from these reptiles, but it is still advisable to exercise caution when coming across this species.

## Distribution and habitat

The distinctiveness of the species was not immediately confirmed due to the challenges involved in collecting samples from remote locations, despite its widespread across the desert regions of Australia. Its distribution is ranging from the Western Australian Eastern Goldfields to southwest Queensland, trough Central Australia, South Australia and the eastern parts of the Northern Territory. Whip snakes, including the desert whip snake, are commonly found in the Outback region, and there is no significant concern regarding the risk of extinction for this species.

## Discovery

In the past, the desert whip snake has been misidentified as the yellow-faced whip snake and the reticulated whip snake due to the common characteristics, but researchers have studied tissue specimens and discovered distinct characteristics by a genetic evidence that differentiate it from its close relatives. The species has been differentiated from other species through genetic research carried out by James Nankivell, a geneticist from the University of Adelaide and South Australian Museum honorary researcher Mark Hutchinson, in collaboration with herpetologists Brad Maryan and Brian Bush from the Western Australian Museum in Perth.

