Red-bellied racer

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Red-bellied racer
Alsophis rufiventris 186333918.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Alsophis
Species:
A. rufiventris
Binomial name
Alsophis rufiventris
Synonyms [2]
  • Dromicus rufiventrisDuméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854

The red-bellied racer (Alsophis rufiventris), also known as the Saba racer, black racer or orange-bellied racer, is a species of snake belonging to the family Colubridae. This snake is endemic to the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean, where it is found on the islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Kitts, and Nevis.

Contents

Taxonomy

The red-bellied racer was first formally described as Dromicus rufiventris in 1854 by the French zoologists André Marie Constant Duméril, Gabriel Bibron and Auguste Duméril with its type locality given erroneously as "Brasil". This is a species in the genus Alsophis which is classified within the tribe Alsophiini of the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. [2]

Description

The red-bellied racer is a medium sized snake with a maximum snout-vent length of 92 cm (36 in), although they may attain 150 cm (59 in).[ clarification needed ] The background colour on the back is various shades from grey through to brown There are dark brown stripes running from the snout through the eyes onto the farthest front part of the back. In males the pattern on the back consists of diffuse, black-bordered, brown blotches on the middle of the back, fading into an ill-defined wide, dark middorsal stripe towards the tail. In females there is a series of streaks and smudges which become less clear towards the tail. The underside is yellowish, gradually changing to dark brown or black towards the tail. [3]

Distribution

The red-bellied racer is found on the Lesser Antilles islands of Saba and Sint Eustatius, it has been extirpated from St Kitts and Nevis. [3] This species is found in a wide variety of terrestrial habitats. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 Daltry, J.C. & Powell, R. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Alsophis rufiventris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T942A115053994. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T942A71739314.en . Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  2. 1 2 Alsophis rufiventris at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 10 July 2025.
  3. 1 2 A.J. Maley; A.Z. Savit; H.M. Heinz; R. Powell; and R.W. Henderson (2006). "Alsophis rufiventris". Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. University of Texas at Austin . Retrieved 10 July 2025.
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