| Clelia scytalina | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Clelia |
| Species: | C. scytalina
|
| Binomial name | |
| Clelia scytalina | |
| Synonyms [3] | |
| |
Clelia scytalina, commonly known as the Mexican snake eater [3] or zopilota de altura (highland mussarana), [4] is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the New World.
Geographic range
C. scytalina is found in Southern Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. [3]
Description
The head of C. scytalina is somewhat distinct from the neck. The eye is moderate in size, with a vertically elliptical pupil. The body is cylindrical, and the tail is moderately long. [4]
The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody. [4]
The coloration of juveniles is completely different from that of adults. Juveniles have a black head, a yellow or white nuchal crossband (collar), and a red body. Juveniles are often mistaken for coral snakes and killed. [4] Adults are uniform bluish black dorsally, and cream-colored ventrally. [5]
Habitat
C. scytalina is a terrestrial animal which inhabits old-growth and second-growth forests and their borders. Occasionally it is found in open areas in submontane and montane life zones. [4]
Diet
Like other species of mussurana, C. scytalina is known to feed on other snakes. [4]
Reproduction
Clelia scytalina is oviparous (egg-laying). [4]
References
- ^ López-Luna, M.A.; Canseco-Márquez, L. (2022). "Clelia scytalina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T197469A217775261.
- ^ "Clelia scytalina ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
- ^ a b c "Clelia scytalina (Cope, 1867)" at the Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. Consulted: 22 April 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g Muñoz Chacón, Federico. (2000) Clelia scytalina (Cope, 1867) Archived 2014-01-10 at the Wayback Machine. INBio (Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad ), Costa Rica. Consulted: 22 April 2012.
- ^ Savage JM (2002). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between Two Continents, between Two Seas. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press. xx + 945 pp. ISBN 0-226-73537-0. (Clelia scytalina, p. 574).
Further reading
- Cope ED (1867). "Fifth Contribution to the HERPETOLOGY of Tropical America". Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 18 ["1866"]: 317–323. (Scolecophis scytalinus, new species, p. 320.).
- Muñoz Chacón, Federico; Johnston, Richard Dennis (2013). Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Pocket Guide. Ithaca, New York: Comstock. 170 pp. ISBN 0801478693.
External links
- Clelia scytalina at the Encyclopedia of Life.
.jpg){kind=small} | This article relating to Dipsadinae is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
| Clelia scytalina | |
|---|---|
|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Clelia |
| Species: | C. scytalina
|
| Binomial name | |
| Clelia scytalina | |
| Synonyms [3] | |
| |
Clelia scytalina, commonly known as the Mexican snake eater [3] or zopilota de altura (highland mussarana), [4] is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the New World.
Geographic range
C. scytalina is found in Southern Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. [3]
Description
The head of C. scytalina is somewhat distinct from the neck. The eye is moderate in size, with a vertically elliptical pupil. The body is cylindrical, and the tail is moderately long. [4]
The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody. [4]
The coloration of juveniles is completely different from that of adults. Juveniles have a black head, a yellow or white nuchal crossband (collar), and a red body. Juveniles are often mistaken for coral snakes and killed. [4] Adults are uniform bluish black dorsally, and cream-colored ventrally. [5]
Habitat
C. scytalina is a terrestrial animal which inhabits old-growth and second-growth forests and their borders. Occasionally it is found in open areas in submontane and montane life zones. [4]
Diet
Like other species of mussurana, C. scytalina is known to feed on other snakes. [4]
Reproduction
Clelia scytalina is oviparous (egg-laying). [4]
References
- ^ López-Luna, M.A.; Canseco-Márquez, L. (2022). "Clelia scytalina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T197469A217775261.
- ^ "Clelia scytalina ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
- ^ a b c "Clelia scytalina (Cope, 1867)" at the Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. Consulted: 22 April 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g Muñoz Chacón, Federico. (2000) Clelia scytalina (Cope, 1867) Archived 2014-01-10 at the Wayback Machine. INBio (Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad ), Costa Rica. Consulted: 22 April 2012.
- ^ Savage JM (2002). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between Two Continents, between Two Seas. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press. xx + 945 pp. ISBN 0-226-73537-0. (Clelia scytalina, p. 574).
Further reading
- Cope ED (1867). "Fifth Contribution to the HERPETOLOGY of Tropical America". Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 18 ["1866"]: 317–323. (Scolecophis scytalinus, new species, p. 320.).
- Muñoz Chacón, Federico; Johnston, Richard Dennis (2013). Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Pocket Guide. Ithaca, New York: Comstock. 170 pp. ISBN 0801478693.
External links
- Clelia scytalina at the Encyclopedia of Life.
|
| This article relating to Dipsadinae is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |