Barbados racer | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Erythrolamprus |
Species: | †E. perfuscus
|
Binomial name | |
†Erythrolamprus perfuscus (
Cope, 1862)
| |
Synonyms | |
|
The Barbados racer (Erythrolamprus perfuscus), also commonly known as the tan ground snake, was a species of colubrid snake that was endemic to Barbados. It is now extinct. [1] [2]
This species was often believed to be the snake described by Richard Ligon in his "A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes" (1657): [3]
"Having done with Beasts and Birds, we will enquire what other lesser Animalls or Insects there are upon the Iland, of which, Snakes are the chiefe, because the largest; and I have seen some of those a yard and a halfe long." [4]
It is believed to be extinct, as there has not been a confirmed sighting since 1961. [3] [5] [6] [7] Habitat loss is believed to have caused its decline, particularly the land clearance and pesticide use associated with tree crops. [8]
It grew to a total length of 1 m (39 in), which included a tail 20 cm (7.9 in) long. [9] It was colored brown with lighter sides, and light lateral stripes to the rear. [10]
It probably lived in mesic habitats, and actively foraged during the day for lizards and frogs. [10]
Barbados racer | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Erythrolamprus |
Species: | †E. perfuscus
|
Binomial name | |
†Erythrolamprus perfuscus (
Cope, 1862)
| |
Synonyms | |
|
The Barbados racer (Erythrolamprus perfuscus), also commonly known as the tan ground snake, was a species of colubrid snake that was endemic to Barbados. It is now extinct. [1] [2]
This species was often believed to be the snake described by Richard Ligon in his "A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes" (1657): [3]
"Having done with Beasts and Birds, we will enquire what other lesser Animalls or Insects there are upon the Iland, of which, Snakes are the chiefe, because the largest; and I have seen some of those a yard and a halfe long." [4]
It is believed to be extinct, as there has not been a confirmed sighting since 1961. [3] [5] [6] [7] Habitat loss is believed to have caused its decline, particularly the land clearance and pesticide use associated with tree crops. [8]
It grew to a total length of 1 m (39 in), which included a tail 20 cm (7.9 in) long. [9] It was colored brown with lighter sides, and light lateral stripes to the rear. [10]
It probably lived in mesic habitats, and actively foraged during the day for lizards and frogs. [10]