Clelia scytalina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Clelia
Species:
C. scytalina
Binomial name
Clelia scytalina
(Cope, 1867)[2]
Synonyms[3]
  • Scolecophis scytalinus
    Cope, 1867
  • Oxyrhopus proximus
    Bocourt, 1897
  • Clelia clelia immaculata
    H.M. Smith, 1942
  • Clelia scytalina
    — Stuart, 1963

Clelia scytalina, commonly known as the Mexican snake eater[3] or zopilota de altura (highland mussarana),[4] is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the New World.

Geographic range

C. scytalina is found in Southern Mexico, Central America, and Colombia.[3]

Description

The head of C. scytalina is somewhat distinct from the neck. The eye is moderate in size, with a vertically elliptical pupil. The body is cylindrical, and the tail is moderately long.[4]

The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody.[4]

The coloration of juveniles is completely different from that of adults. Juveniles have a black head, a yellow or white nuchal crossband (collar), and a red body. Juveniles are often mistaken for coral snakes and killed.[4] Adults are uniform bluish black dorsally, and cream-colored ventrally.[5]

Habitat

C. scytalina is a terrestrial animal which inhabits old-growth and second-growth forests and their borders. Occasionally it is found in open areas in submontane and montane life zones.[4]

Diet

Like other species of mussurana, C. scytalina is known to feed on other snakes.[4]

Reproduction

Clelia scytalina is oviparous (egg-laying).[4]

References

  1. ↑ López-Luna, M.A.; Canseco-Márquez, L. (2022). "Clelia scytalina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T197469A217775261.
  2. ↑ "Clelia scytalina ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "Clelia scytalina (Cope, 1867)" at the Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. Consulted: 22 April 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Muñoz Chacón, Federico. (2000) Clelia scytalina (Cope, 1867) Archived 2014-01-10 at the Wayback Machine. INBio (Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad ), Costa Rica. Consulted: 22 April 2012.
  5. ↑ Savage JM (2002). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between Two Continents, between Two Seas. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press. xx + 945 pp. ISBN 0-226-73537-0. (Clelia scytalina, p. 574).

Further reading

  • Cope ED (1867). "Fifth Contribution to the HERPETOLOGY of Tropical America". Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 18 ["1866"]: 317–323. (Scolecophis scytalinus, new species, p. 320.).
  • Muñoz Chacón, Federico; Johnston, Richard Dennis (2013). Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Pocket Guide. Ithaca, New York: Comstock. 170 pp. ISBN 0801478693.


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