Bahamian pygmy boa constrictor | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Tropidophiidae |
Genus: | Tropidophis |
Species: | T. canus
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Binomial name | |
Tropidophis canus (
Cope, 1868)
| |
Synonyms [2] | |
The Bahamian pygmy boa constrictor (Tropidophis canus), also known as the Inagua trope or Bahama wood snake, is a species of non venomous snake in the family Tropidophiidae. The species is endemic to Great Inagua Island in the Bahamas. [1] [2] [3]
Like all species of pygmy boas the Bahamian pygmy boa is a rather small snake averaging between 30 cm (12 in) and 60 cm (24 in) in total length. [3] [4] The snake has the ability to change color through the movement of its dark pigment granules. Depending on the time of the day, a light or dark color may provide better camouflage. [3] The Bahamian pygmy boa has a yellow-orange tail tip, which is likely used to lure unsuspecting prey. [3]
The Bahamian pygmy boa is mostly inactive during daytime hours, usually coming out at night. [3] Most dwarf boas are terrestrial, meaning they live and breathe on earth, and rest underground or in vegetation. A few have adapted to being arboreal. [3] [4] Young boas live in trees and shrubs and feed mostly on anole lizards. Adult boas feed on frogs, birds and rats. [5] If threatened, the snake has been observed to coil up into a tight ball similar to that of a ball python. [3] On Andros Island the species is known as the "shame snake" because of this defensive tactic. [3] It also has the ability to voluntarily bleed from its eyes, mouth, and nostrils. [3] [4]
Bahamian pygmy boa constrictor | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Tropidophiidae |
Genus: | Tropidophis |
Species: | T. canus
|
Binomial name | |
Tropidophis canus (
Cope, 1868)
| |
Synonyms [2] | |
The Bahamian pygmy boa constrictor (Tropidophis canus), also known as the Inagua trope or Bahama wood snake, is a species of non venomous snake in the family Tropidophiidae. The species is endemic to Great Inagua Island in the Bahamas. [1] [2] [3]
Like all species of pygmy boas the Bahamian pygmy boa is a rather small snake averaging between 30 cm (12 in) and 60 cm (24 in) in total length. [3] [4] The snake has the ability to change color through the movement of its dark pigment granules. Depending on the time of the day, a light or dark color may provide better camouflage. [3] The Bahamian pygmy boa has a yellow-orange tail tip, which is likely used to lure unsuspecting prey. [3]
The Bahamian pygmy boa is mostly inactive during daytime hours, usually coming out at night. [3] Most dwarf boas are terrestrial, meaning they live and breathe on earth, and rest underground or in vegetation. A few have adapted to being arboreal. [3] [4] Young boas live in trees and shrubs and feed mostly on anole lizards. Adult boas feed on frogs, birds and rats. [5] If threatened, the snake has been observed to coil up into a tight ball similar to that of a ball python. [3] On Andros Island the species is known as the "shame snake" because of this defensive tactic. [3] It also has the ability to voluntarily bleed from its eyes, mouth, and nostrils. [3] [4]