Cemophora coccinea

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Cemophora coccinea
Cemophora Coccinea.jpg
scarlet snake
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Cemophora
Species:
C. coccinea
Binomial name
Cemophora coccinea
(Blumenbach, 1788) [2]
Synonyms

Cemophora coccinea, commonly known as the scarlet snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the southeastern United States. There are two subspecies of C. coccinea that are recognized as being valid. The Texas scarlet snake (C. lineri) was previously considered a subspecies.

Contents

Description

The scarlet snake is relatively small, growing to a total length (including tail) of 14-26 inches (36–66 cm) at adult size. The dorsal pattern consists of a light gray ground color, with a series of black-bordered red, white or yellow blotches down the back. The belly is either a uniform light gray or white color. The dorsal blotches can extend down the sides of the body, appearing somewhat like banding or rings, which sometimes leads to confusion with other sympatric species such as the venomous coral snakes or the harmless scarlet king snake. [6] The similar pattern exhibited by these three snakes is a form of mimicry known as batesian mimicry. This is a phenomenon in which members of a palatable species gain protection from predation by resembling or mimicking the defensive signaling of an unpalatable or defended species. [7]

Etymology

The generic name, Cemophora, is derived from the Greek words Kemos, meaning "muzzle", and phoros, meaning "bearing", referring to the pronounced rostral scale characteristic of members of the genus. [8]

Geographic distribution

C. coccinea is found only in the United States. They are endemic to peninsular Florida, [9] and found in southeastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware; with disjunct populations in New Jersey and central Missouri. The species is more commonly found throughout most of the Atlantic coastal plain areas. They prefer open forested areas with sandy soil, ground litter, and organic debris. [6]

Large adult scarlet snake Cemophora coccinea, Scarlet Snake.jpg
Large adult scarlet snake

In Indiana, the scarlet snake is listed as an endangered species. [10] In New Jersey, the scarlet snake has been recommended by the New Jersey Endangered and Nongame Advisory Committee that it be put on the threatened status for this species within the state, but no formal rule proposal has been filed to date. The Threatened status is largely due to population declines and habitat loss. Reasons for the decline in their population are a loss of habitat, illegal capture for the pet trade, road mortality, and direct killing. [11]

Behavior and diet

The scarlet snake is nocturnal and is active only during the summer months. They can be found during the day beneath logs, under pine debris or other organic litter. They also burrow underground during the daytime hours, or use previously dug tunnels to reside in. [12] At night they are often seen crossing roads, or prowling the forest floor searching for prey. [13] C. coccinea's diet consists of lizards, small rodents, the eggs of lizards, turtles, and other snakes. Their large, very sharp posterior teeth are used to slash open large reptile eggs. The snake will either squeeze an egg to expel its contents or thrust its head into the egg to break it open. The smallest reptile eggs are eaten in their entirety. [6]

Cemophora coccinea copei, Northern scarlet snake Northern Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea copei, N. Florida.png
Cemophora coccinea copei , Northern scarlet snake

Reproduction

There is very little known about the reproductive habits of the scarlet snake. It is oviparous, generally laying 2-9 eggs per clutch, with the typical clutch yielding five eggs. Breeding occurs throughout the spring months, and eggs are laid throughout the summer in burrows or under rocks. The eggs hatch two months after breeding, typically in the late summer or autumn. [6]

In Florida, one female scarlet snake laid 13 fertile eggs, which exceeded the largest reported clutch of 9 eggs. [14]

Predators and defense

The natural predators of the scarlet snake are snake-eating snakes such as the coral snake, and predatory birds and mammals. Scarlet snakes rarely bite when picked up by humans, although they can release a foul-smelling odor. [6] The Scarlet snake will use its version of batesian mimicry and mimic the coral snake as a defense mechanism in order to reduce predation, and show predators that it is a venomous species. [15]

Conservation

The two greatest threats that scarlet snakes face are the destruction of their habitats because of commercial development and the rising rate of road mortality. [6] Other threats are illegal capture of the species for the pet trade and intentional killing. [11]

Subspecies

The following two subspecies are recognized as being valid. [16]

Nota bene : A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Cemophora.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingsnake</span> Genus of snakes

Kingsnakes are colubrid New World members of the genus Lampropeltis, which includes 26 species. Among these, about 45 subspecies are recognized. They are nonvenomous and ophiophagous in diet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scarlet kingsnake</span> Species of snake

The scarlet kingsnake or scarlet milk snake is a species of kingsnake found in the southeastern and eastern portions of the United States. Like all kingsnakes, they are nonvenomous. They are found in pine flatwoods, hydric hammocks, pine savannas, mesic pine-oak forests, prairies, cultivated fields, and a variety of suburban habitats; not unusually, people find scarlet kingsnakes in their swimming pools, especially during the spring. Until recently, and for much of the 20th century, scarlet kingsnakes were considered a subspecies of the milk snake; however, Pyron and Bubrink demonstrated the phylogenetic distinction of this species and its closer relationship to the mountain kingsnakes of the southwestern United States. These largely fossorial snakes are the smallest of all the species within the genus Lampropeltis, usually ranging from 40 to 50 cm at maturity. The maximum recorded length is in Jonesboro, AR 76.2 cm (30.0 in). Hatchlings range in size from 8 to 18 cm .

<i>Pantherophis vulpinus</i> Species of snake

Pantherophis vulpinus, commonly known as the foxsnake or the eastern fox snake, is a species of nonvenomous rat snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black swamp snake</span> Species of snake

The black swamp snake is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States. There are three subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-nosed snake</span> Species of snake

The long-nosed snake is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America. It has two recognized subspecies. The other species in the genus were previously considered subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern racer</span> Species of snake

The eastern racer, or North American racer, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America and Central America. Eleven subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies, are recognized, which as a group are commonly referred to as the eastern racers. The species is monotypic in the genus Coluber.

<i>Cemophora coccinea copei</i> Subspecies of snake

Cemophora coccinea copei, commonly known as the northern scarlet snake, is a subspecies of harmless colubrid snake that is native to the southern and eastern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas scarlet snake</span> Species of snake

The Texas scarlet snake is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the South Central United States. It was previously considered a subspecies of Cemophora coccinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western hognose snake</span> Species of reptile

The western hognose snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America. There are three subspecies that are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

<i>Micrurus fulvius</i> Species of snake

Micrurus fulvius, commonly known as the eastern coral snake, common coral snake, American cobra, and more, is a species of highly venomous coral snake in the family Elapidae.The Elapidae family also contains the cobras and sea snakes. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States. It should not be confused with the scarlet snake or scarlet kingsnake, which are harmless mimics. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Pituophis melanoleucus</i> Species of snake

Pituophis melanoleucus, commonly known as the eastern pine snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States. Three subspecies are currently recognized as being valid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crayfish snake</span> Species of snake

The crayfish snake, also known commonly as the glossy crayfish snake, the glossy swampsnake, the glossy water snake, and the striped water snake, is a species of semiaquatic snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States, and preys mainly on crayfish.

<i>Farancia erytrogramma</i> Species of reptile

Farancia erytrogramma is a species of large, nonvenomous, highly amphibious colubrid snake, endemic to the coastal plains of the southeastern United States. Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, one of which has been declared extinct.

<i>Diadophis punctatus edwardsii</i> Subspecies of snake

Diadophis punctatus edwardsii, commonly known as the northern ringneck snake, is a subspecies of Diadophis punctatus, a snake in the family Colubridae. The subspecies is endemic to North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southeastern crown snake</span> Species of snake

The southeastern crown snake is a common species of small colubrid snake endemic to the southeastern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern ribbon snake</span> Subspecies of snake

The southern ribbon snake(Thamnophis saurita sackenii), also known commonly as the peninsula ribbon snake and the Florida ribbon snake, is a subspecies of garter snake in the family Colubridae. It is one of four subspecies of the ribbon snake.

<i>Cemophora coccinea coccinea</i> Subspecies of snake

Cemophora coccinea coccinea, commonly known as the Florida scarlet snake, is the nominotypical subspecies of the scarlet snake. It is a nonvenomous colubrid snake that is endemic to the southeastern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern milk snake</span> Subspecies of snake

Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum, commonly known as the eastern milk snake or eastern milksnake, is a subspecies of the milk snake. The nonvenomous, colubrid snake is indigenous to eastern and central North America.

<i>Pantherophis ramspotti</i> Species of snake

Pantherophis ramspotti, commonly known as the western fox snake, is a species of rat snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the upper Midwestern United States, west of the Mississippi River. It is nonvenomous.

<i>Cemophora</i> Genus of snakes

Cemophora is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus contains two species, which are endemic to the United States.

References

  1. Hammerson GA (2007). "Cemophora coccinea ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2007: e.T63740A12712279. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63740A12712279.en. Downloaded on 28 September 2018.
  2. "Cemopora coccinea ". ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov
  3. Boulenger GA (1894). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History), Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xi + 382 pp. + Plates I-XX. (Genus Cemophora, p. 213; species Cemophora coccinea, p. 214).
  4. Williams KL (1967). "A Review of the Colubrid Snake Genus Cemophora Cope". Tulane Studies in Zoology13 (4): 103-124.
  5. Wright & Wright, p. 113.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gibbons, Whit; Dorcas, Mike (2005). Snakes of the Southeast. University of Georgia Press. ISBN   978-0820326528.
  7. Lev-Yadun S. Müllerian and Batesian mimicry out, Darwinian and Wallacian mimicry in, for rewarding/rewardless flowers. Plant Signal Behav. 2018;13(6):e1480846. doi: 10.1080/15592324.2018.1480846. Epub 2018 Jun 26. PMID 29888995; PMCID: PMC6110362.
  8. Williams, Kenneth L. "Cemophora, C. coccinea." (1985).
  9. Weinell, J. L., & Austin, C. C. (2017). Refugia and Speciation in North American Scarlet Snakes (Cemophora). Journal of Herpetology, 51(1), 161–171. https://doi.org/10.1670/15-125
  10. Indiana Legislative Services Agency (2011), "312 IAC 9-5-4: Endangered species of reptiles and amphibians", Indiana Administrative Code, retrieved 28 Apr 2012
  11. 1 2 "Scarlet snake. Conservation status: Threatened". Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  12. Palmer, William M.; Tregembo, George (1970). "Notes on the Natural History of the Scarlet Snake Cemophora coccinea copei Jan in North Carolina". Herpetologica. 26 (3): 300–302. ISSN   0018-0831. JSTOR   3891254.
  13. Palmer, William M.; Tregembo, George (1970). "Notes on the Natural History of the Scarlet Snake Cemophora coccinea copei Jan in North Carolina". Herpetologica. 26 (3): 300–302. JSTOR   3891254.
  14. GOLDBERG, S. R., MAHRDT, R., & BEAMAN, K. R. (2014). CEMOPHORA COCCINEA COCCINEA (Florida Scarletsnake). Herpetological Review, 45, 1.
  15. Kikuchi, David W.; Pfennig, David W. (December 2010). "Predator Cognition Permits Imperfect Coral Snake Mimicry". The American Naturalist. 176 (6): 830–834. doi:10.1086/657041. ISSN   0003-0147.
  16. "Cemophora coccinea ". The Reptile Database. http://www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading