Comparison between Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. and sympatric Protobothrops jerdonii in different age stages A adult Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (SYS r002534, holotype) B adult Protobothrops jerdonii C juvenile E. xiphodonta sp. nov. (IVPP OV 2721, paratype), road-killed specimen D juvenile P. jerdonii specimen in preservative. The black arrow points to the labial spot. Photos A, B, D by Shuo Qi, photo C by Liang Sun.

 
 
  Part of: Qi S, Shi J-S, Ma Y-B, Gao Y-F, Bu S-H, Grismer LL, Li P-P, Wang Y-Y (2021) A sheep in wolf's clothing: Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (Squamata, Colubridae) and its possible mimicry to Protobothrops jerdonii. ZooKeys 1048: 23-47. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650