| Erythrolamprus ocellatus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Erythrolamprus |
| Species: | E. ocellatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Erythrolamprus ocellatus W. Peters, 1868 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Erythrolamprus ocellatus, commonly known as the Tobago false coral snake, red snake, or doctor snake is a species of colubrid snake, which is endemic to the island of Tobago (in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago). [3]
Unlike other Erythrolamprus species, E. ocellatus is not sympatric with coral snakes and has a spotted rather than a banded pattern. [3]
Dorsally, it is reddish (with black scale tips), and has a series of about 25 large ocelli (round black spots with light centers) running down the middle of the back. This is considered to bean imperfect mimic of a coral snake (there are no extant species of coral snakes in Tobago. [4] ) The dorsal surfaces of the head and neck are black, and the tail is ringed with black. [5]
The species is a Tobago endemic, known only from the wetter northeastern and central parts of the island. It utilizes leaf-litter and is perhaps also fossorial in rainforest, forest edge and cacao plantation habitats. It seems to be most active in the early morning and late afternoon.
It probably feeds on other snakes. [3] They also feed on the microteiid lizards in the genus Bachia, the rain frog Pristimantis urichi, the túngara frog (also known as Central American mud-puddle frog) Engystomops pustulosus , and the gecko Gonatodes vittatus (in captivity), and unidentified fish. [6]
The Aniliidae are a monotypic family created for the monotypic genus Anilius that contains the single species Anilius scytale. Common names include the American pipe snake and false coral snake. It is found in South America. This snake possesses a vestigial pelvic girdle that is visible as a pair of cloacal spurs. It is ovoviviparous. It is non-venomous, and its diet consists mainly of amphibians and other reptiles. Two subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
Trinidad and Tobago are continental islands with a geologically very recent history of direct land bridge connection to South America. As a result, unlike most of the Caribbean Islands, Trinidad and Tobago supports a primarily South American flora and fauna and has greater diversity of plant and animal species than the Antilles. However, rates of endemism are lower than in the rest of the Caribbean because there has been less time for genetic isolation from mainland populations because of the history of land bridge connections and hence fewer opportunities for speciation, and so a greater proportion of the species in Trinidad and Tobago are also found on the South American mainland. Trinidad is nearer to mainland South America and has been directly connected to the mainland via land bridges more often and for longer periods than Tobago. This, as well as Trinidad's larger size and more varied topography and hydrology compared to that of Tobago allow greater species and ecosystem diversity on the former compared to that on the later of the islands.
Tantilla melanocephala, commonly known as the black-headed snake, is a species of small colubrid snake endemic to Central America and South America.
Spilotes pullatus, commonly known as the caninana, tiger rat snake, chicken snake, yellow rat snake, or serpiente tigre, is a species of large nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to warmer parts of the Americas.
Oxybelis aeneus, commonly known as the Mexican vine snake or brown vine snake, is a species of colubrid snake, which is endemic to the Americas.
Mastigodryas boddaerti, commonly known as Boddaert's tropical racer, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to tropical South America including Trinidad and Tobago.
Leptophis ahaetulla, commonly known as the lora or parrot snake, is a species of medium-sized slender snake of the family Colubridae. It is endemic to Central America and northern South America.
Chironius scurrulus, commonly known as the smooth machete savane, is a large slender colubrid snake. It is also known as Wagler's sipo.
The banded cat-eyed snake is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged, colubrid snake, endemic to the New World.
Pseudoboa neuwiedii, commonly known as the ratonel or ratonera (mouse-eater), is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to northern South America.
Oxyrhopus petolarius, commonly known as the false coral, or the calico snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America. There are three recognized subspecies.
The royal ground snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to northern South America.
Erythrolamprus cobella, commonly known as the mangrove snake, is a species of small semi-aquatic snake, which is endemic to South America.
Hydrops triangularis, commonly known as the water false coral snake, triangle water snake, triangle watersnake, or water coral, is a species of snake endemic to northern South America and the Amazon Basin.
The brown-banded water snake is a species of aquatic snake found in tropical South America and Trinidad and Tobago. It is also known as the water mapepire.
Erythrolamprus bizona, commonly known as the double-banded false coral snake, is a species of colubrid snake, which is endemic to northern South America and Central America.
Erythrolamprus aesculapii, also known commonly as the Aesculapian false coral snake, the South American false coral snake, and in Portuguese as bacorá, or falsa-coral, is a species of mildly venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America.
Erythrolamprus is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly known as false coral snakes, native to Central America, the Caribbean, and the northern part of South America. They appear to be coral snake mimics.
Shaw's dark ground snake, also known commonly as Shaw's black-backed snake, and in Spanish as candelilla, guarda caminos, and reinita cazadora, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to northern South America.
