Abstract
We measured and dissected 226 museum specimens of Psammophis schokari (Schokari
Sand Snake, a widespread, common “whipsnake” occurring in North Africa and
southwest Asia. Three aspects of its ecology were investigated: sexual size
dimorphism (SSD), diet, and reproductive biology. There was no significant SSD
in mean body size or shape for the traits measured. The species is an
opportunistic feeder, but preys predominately on lizards. Males and females
exhibit their highest levels of sexual activity in synchrony and exhibit
prenuptial spermiogenesis and a Type 1 vitellogenic cycle, respectively.
Mating occurs at the end of the rainy season and clutch sizes are small. These
findings from a Northern Hemisphere temperate sand snake are consistent with
previous results for both tropical and south temperate Psammophis. These traits
thus appear to be highly conserved within the genus and also exhibit convergence
with respect to unrelated colubroid “whipsnakes”.
