Xenodon merremii | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Subfamily: | Dipsadinae |
Genus: | Xenodon |
Species: | X. merremii |
Binomial name | |
Xenodon merremii (Wagler, 1824) | |
Synonyms [2] | |
Xenodon merremii, also known commonly as Wagler's snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America and is widespread in the eastern half of the continent.
X. merremii occurs in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. [2]
The specific name, merremii, is in honor of German herpetologist Blasius Merrem. [3]
Adults of X. merremii are usually 1 m (39 in) or less in total length (including tail). [4] Its color pattern is very variable. [2] Some "red phase" specimens are a uniform reddish tan. [4] Other specimens are pale brown dorsally, with broad dark-brown crossbands, which are edged with black, and are narrower or interrupted in the middle. [5] The latter color pattern resembles that of the venomous snake Bothrops alternatus . [4]
X. merremii preys on insects, frogs, toads, lizards, and sometimes snakes. Like other rear-fanged toad-eaters of the genera Heterodon and Lystrophis , X. merremii uses its enlarged posterior maxillary teeth to puncture and deflate toads which have defensively puffed themselves up, thereby making them easier to swallow. [4]
When threatened, X. merremii raises the anterior part of its body, inflating and spreading its neck, similar to a cobra. [4]
Spilotes sulphureus, commonly known as the yellow-bellied hissing snake or Amazon puffing snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Colubridae. It is widely distributed throughout South America, as well as the Caribbean island of Trinidad.
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.
Atractus trilineatus, commonly known as the three-lined ground snake, is a species of small burrowing snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native 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.
Lystrophis is the genus of tricolored South American hognose snakes. They mimic milk snakes or coral snakes with their red, black, and white ringed patterns.
Hydrops is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to South America.
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.
Geophis is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae of the superfamily Colubroidea. Species in the genus Geophis are commonly referred to as Latin American earth snakes. The genus consists of 53 distinct species.
Oxyrhopus, the false coral snakes, is a genus of colubrid snakes that belong to the subfamily Dipsadinae. All 15 members of the genus are found in the northern part of South America, with the native range of the most widespread member, Oxyrhopus petolarius, extending into Central America and Trinidad and Tobago as well.
Xenodon rabdocephalus, commonly known as the false fer-de-lance, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Central America and northern South America. There are two recognized subspecies.
Leposternon microcephalum, also known commonly as the smallhead worm lizard, is a species of amphisbaenian in the family Amphisbaenidae in the reptilian order Squamata. The species is endemic to South America.
Xenodon is a genus of New World snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae.
Rhinobothryum is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae.
Rhinobothryum lentiginosum, commonly known as the Amazon banded snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America.
Spilotes is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to the New World.
Pliocercus euryzonus, commonly known as Cope's false coral snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is indigenous to southeastern Central America and northwestern South America. There are two recognized subspecies.
Hensel's snake is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to southern Brazil, and it is monotypic in the genus Ditaxodon.
Geophis championi, the Panamenian earth snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Panama.
Xenodon dorbignyi, the South American hognose snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to southern South America. There are four recognized subspecies.
Xenodon guentheri, also known commonly as Günther's false fer-de-lance, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Brazil.