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The Beaked Snakes ( Rhamphiophis ) are semi-fossorial snakes with reinforced snouts adapted for digging. The Skaapstekers ( Psammophylax)  are generalist terrestrial snakes. Both belong to the family, Psammophiidae. The Striped Beaked Snake ( Kladirostratus acutus ) was originally assigned to the genus  Rhamphiophis , because of its beak-like snout. However, molecular evidence indicates that  K. acutus  is more closely related to  Psammophylax . Thus, the “beak” of  K. acutus  must have evolved independently of that seen in  Rhamphiophis . We studied the cranial morphology of  K. acutus  and representatives of  Psammophylax  and  Rhamphiophis  to identify possible traits that may reflect independent derivation of a beak-shaped snout relative to  Rhamphiophis . We found that  K. acutus  retains four main cranial features in common with the  Psammophylax : (1) an open fenestra between the premaxilla, nasals and septomaxilla, (2) a lack of fusion between the septomaxilla and the vertical lamina of the nasal, (3) the conchal processes of the septomaxilla extend beyond the dorsal margin of the septomaxilla and (4) a lack of contact between the prefrontals and the dorsal laminae of the nasals. Simultaneously,  K. acutus  displays traits associated with adaptation to semi-fossorial life in snakes such as a shortening of the maxilla, modification of the premaxilla, elongation of the nasal region, and a narrowing of the braincase.

Digging adaptations evolved independently in two lineages of Psammophiid snake: evidence from cranial morphology