Hispaniola racer

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Hispaniola racer
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Haitiophis
Hedges & Vidal, 2009
Species:
H. anomalus
Binomial name
Haitiophis anomalus
(Peters, 1863)
Synonyms
  • Zamenis anomalus
  • Dromicus anomalus
  • Alsophis anomalus
  • Ocyophis anomalus
  • Caraiba anomala

The Hispaniola racer or Hispaniolan brown racer (Haitiophis anomalus) is a snake [2] that is endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola (split between the Dominican Republic and Haiti). [3] It is monotypic in the genus Haitiophis.

Contents

Description

At an average length of 2 meters (6 ft 7 in), H. anomalus is the largest colubrid snake in the Americas, and the longest snake species in the West Indies. True to its name, it is brown in coloration, with a pale yellow underbelly. [1] [4]

Behavior

When cornered, individuals may produce a hood and rear up, similar to many Old World cobras. The species may also strike; however, it is non-venomous. [4]

Diet

H. anomalus has a varied diet. Frogs and lizards (particularly Anolis species) are the most common prey item; however, individuals have also been recorded to prey on smooth-billed ani (Crotophaga ani), house mouse (Mus musculus) and native boas ( Chilabothrus sp.). Pursuits of juvenile rhinoceros iguanas (Cyclura cornuta) and rats ( Rattus sp.) have also been recorded. While hunting, it has been recorded to wait at the exit hole of iguana burrows. [4]

Distribution and habitat

The historic range of H. anomalusis believed to be island-wide; however, its range has heavily contracted over time. The majority of the racer's range lies in the Dominican Republic, where it is found in the southwest of the country (in the arid areas surrounding Lake Enriquillo, Pedernales Province, and Isla Beata) as well as a relict population in Monte Cristi Province. In Haiti, the racer is only known to exist on Tortuga. The Hispaniola racer is primarily found in xeric open-thorn forest, as well as transitional areas into oases and river valleys.

Threats

Agricultural expansion, deforestation for charcoal production (especially in Haiti), and predation from invasive species, such as feral cats (Felis catus) and small Indian mongooses (Urva auropunctata) are all factors that have resulted in the range and population reduction of H. anomalus. Predation from the native red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is inferred, but has not been recorded.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhinoceros iguana</span> Species of iguana endemic to the Caribbean

The rhinoceros iguana is an endangered species of iguana that is endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola and its surrounding islands. A large lizard, they vary in length from 60 to 136 centimetres, and skin colours range from a steely grey to a dark green and even brown. Their name derives from the bony-plated pseudo-horn or outgrowth which resembles the horn of a rhinoceros on the iguana's snout. It is known to coexist with the Ricord's iguana ; the two species are the only taxa of rock iguana to do so.

<i>Caribicus warreni</i> Species of lizard

Caribicus warreni, commonly known as the Haitian giant galliwasp or the Hispaniolan giant galliwasp, is a species of lizard in the family Diploglossidae. The species is endemic to the island of Hispaniola.

<i>Leiocephalus personatus</i> Species of lizard

The Hispaniolan masked curly-tailed lizard is a lizard species from the family of curly-tailed lizard (Leiocephalidae). It is also known as the Hispaniolan masked curlytail, Haitian curlytail lizard and the green-legged curly-tail. endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

<i>Anolis chlorocyanus</i> Species of lizard

Anolis chlorocyanus, the Tiburon green anole or Hispaniolan green anole or Jeremie Anole, is a species of anole endemic to Haiti, primarily the Tiburon Peninsula and Jérémie and Hispaniola.

Thomas's blind snake is an endangered species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae. It is endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, where it is found in the Sud-Est Department in Haiti and Pedernales Province in the Dominican Republic.

<i>Uromacer oxyrhynchus</i> Species of snake

Uromacer oxyrhynchus, the sharp-nosed Hispaniolan vine snake or pointed snake, is a species of snake of the family Colubridae endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

<i>Pholidoscelis taeniurus</i> Species of lizard

Pholidoscelis taeniurus, the Hispaniolan blue-tailed ameiva or Haitian ameiva, is a member of the Teiidae family of lizards. It is endemic to the island of Hispaniola, including some satellite islands, like Île-à-Vache, Gonâve Island, and Isla Saona.

The Hispaniolan desert gecko is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the island of Hispaniola.

<i>Aristelliger lar</i> Species of lizard

Aristelliger lar, also known as the Hispaniolan giant gecko and the spotted Caribbean gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the island of Hispaniola.

Armstrong's least gecko, also known commonly as the southern forest geckolet, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to the island of Hispaniola.

Sphaerodactylus thompsoni, also known commonly as Thompson's least gecko or the Barahona limestone geckolet, is a small species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Hispaniola.

Mann's worm lizard, also known commonly as the Hispaniolan dwarf wormlizard, is a species of worm lizard in the family Amphisbaenidae. The species is endemic to the island of Hispaniola.

The Hispaniolan ten-lined skink is a species of skink endemic to Hispaniola.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hispaniolan dry forests</span> Ecoregion on Hispaniola

The Hispaniolan dry forests are a tropical dry broadleaf forest ecoregion on the island of Hispaniola. They cover 15,123 km2 (5,839 sq mi), around 20% of the island's area.

Anolis semilineatus, the Hispaniolan grass anole, Santo Domingo anole, or half-lined Hispaniolan grass anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

<i>Comptus stenurus</i> Species of lizard

Comptus stenurus, the Hispaniolan keeled galliwasp or Cope's galliwasp, is a species of lizard of the Diploglossidae family endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

Hypsirhynchus ferox, the Hispaniolan hog-nosed racer or Hispaniola cat-eyed snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Hypsirhynchus melanichnus, the Hispaniolan olive racer or La Vega racer, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Hypsirhynchus parvifrons, the common Hispaniolan racer, Cope's Antilles snake, or Hispaniolan black racer is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.

Ialtris dorsalis, the Hispaniolan W-headed racer or brown fanged snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the Dominican Republic.

References

  1. 1 2 Inchaustegui, S.; Landestoy, M.; Henderson, R.W. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Haitiophis anomalus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T190577A115326673. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T190577A71748221.en . Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  2. ↑ Haitiophis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 5 December 2016.
  3. ↑ Haitiophis anomalus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 5 December 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Landestoy T., Miguel A.; Henderson, Robert W.; Rupp, Ernst; Marte, Cristian; Ortíz, Robert A. (2013-09-01). "Notes on the natural history of the Hispaniolan Brown Racer, Haitiophis anomalus (Squamata; Dipsadidae), in the southern Dominican Republic". Reptiles & Amphibians. 20 (3): 130–139. doi:10.17161/randa.v20i3.13950. ISSN   2332-4961.
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