Rhachidelus
Rhachidelus is a genus of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to South America.
| Rhachidelus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Rhachidelus Boulenger, 1908 |
| Species: | R. brazili |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhachidelus brazili Boulenger, 1908 | |
Species edit
The genus Rhachidelus is monotypic, containing the sole species Rhachidelus brazili,[2] which is commonly known as the Brazilian bird snake.
Etymology edit
The specific name, brazili, is in honor of Brazilian herpetologist Vital Brazil.[3]
Geographic range edit
R. brazili is found in northeastern Argentina, southern Brazil, and southeastern Paraguay.[4]
Habitat edit
The preferred natural habitats of R. brazili are forest and savanna.[1]
Description edit
R. brazili is a medium-sized species of snake. The holotype has a total length of 1.32 m (4.3 ft), including the tail which is 0.31 m (1.0 ft) in length. The dorsal scales are smooth, have distinct paired apical pits, and are arranged in 25 rows at midbody. The vertebral row is enlarged. Adults are shiny dark brown to black dorsally, and dark brown ventrally.[5] Juveniles have a red band across the back of the top of the head, including the parietal scales.[4]
Diet edit
The diet of R. brazili consists mainly of birds' eggs.[1][4]
Reproduction edit
References edit
- ^ a b c Arzamendia, V.; Giraudo, A.; Scott, N.; Scrocchi, G. (2019). "Rhachidelus brazili". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T177505A56039571. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T177505A56039571.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Rhachidelus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 23 December 2016.
- ^ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Rhachidelus brazili, p. 37).
- ^ a b c d Rhachidelus brazili at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 23 December 2016.
- ^ Boulenger GA (1908).
Further reading edit
- Boulenger GA (1908). "On a new Genus of Snakes from Brazil". Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Eighth Series 2: 31–32. (Rhachidelus, new genus; R. brazili, new species).
- Freiberg M (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. 189 pp. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. (Rhachidelus, pp. 79, 108).