Philodryas chamissonis
| Philodryas chamissonis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Xenodontinae |
| Genus: | Philodryas |
| Species: | P. chamissonis |
| Binomial name | |
| Philodryas chamissonis (Wiegmann, 1834) | |
| Synonyms | |
Philodryas chamissonis, commonly known as the long-tailed snake, is a species of moderately venomous opisthoglyphous (rear-fanged) colubrid snake native to South America.[3]
Etymology
The specific name, chamissonis, is in honor of German botanist and poet Adelbert von Chamisso.[4][5]
Geographic range
This species is endemic to Chile and has a large distribution, from Copiapó to Valdivia.
Description
Usually, it is gray, with black and white longitudinal stripes on the body. It is a medium-sized snake, which usually reaches 1.4 m (4.6 ft) in total length.
The length of the tail is 25-28.5 % of the total body length. There are 8 upper labials, the 4th and 5th entering the eye. The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 19 rows at midbody. Ventrals 179-224; anal plate divided; subcaudals 100-122.[6]
Habitat
Philodryas chamissonis lives in a large variety of habitats.
Diet
Its diet is mainly composed of little rodents, insects, and other smaller reptiles.
Reproduction
It is an oviparous reptile.
Conservation status
It is classified as data deficient by the IUCN, and is a protected animal in Chile.
Venom
Because P. chamissonis is rarely found, bites by it are uncommon. However, its bite is painful and causes extensive swelling.[7]
References
- ↑ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ↑ Sallaberry-Pincheira, N.; C.F. Garin; D. González-Acuña; M.A. Sallaberry; J.A. Vianna. 2011. Genetic Divergence of Chilean long-tailed snake (Philodryas chamissonis) across latitudes: conservation threats for different lineages.
Diversity and Distribution 17: 152-162. - ↑ ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov.
- ↑ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ↑ Beolens, Bo; Michael Watkins; Michael Grayson. 2011. The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore. xiii + 312 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Philodryas chamissonis, p. 51.)
- ↑ Boulenger, G.A. 1894. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II. Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, Printers.) London. xi + 382 pp. + Plates I.- XX. (Dromicus chamissonis, pp. 119-120.)
- ↑ Neira, P.; L. Jofré; D. Oschilewski; B. Subercaseaux; N. Muñoz. 2007. Mordedura por Philodryas chamissonis. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura. (Snake bite by Philodryas chamissonis: a case presentation and literature review). Revista chilena de infectología 24 (3): 236-241.
Further reading
- Freiberg, M. 1982. Snakes of South America. T.F.H. Publications. Hong Kong. 189 pp. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. (Dromicus chamissonis, p. 95.)
- Wiegmann, A.F.A. 1835. Beiträge zur Zoologie, Gesammelt auf einer Reise um die Erde. Siebente Abhandlung. Amphibien. Nova Acta Physico-Medica Academiae Caesareae Leopoldino-Carolinae Naturae Curiosorum (Wrocław and Bonn) 17: 185-268 + Plates XIII.- XXII. (Coronella chamissonis, pp. 246–250 + Plate XIX.)