Rhachidelus

Genus of snakes From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rhachidelus is a genus of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to South America.

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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
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Species

The genus Rhachidelus is monotypic, containing the sole species Rhachidelus brazili,[2] which is commonly known as the Brazilian bird snake.

Etymology

The specific name, brazili, is in honor of Brazilian herpetologist Vital Brazil.[3]

Geographic range

R. brazili is found in northeastern Argentina, southern Brazil, and southeastern Paraguay.[4]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of R. brazili are forest and savanna.[1]

Description

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

The diet of R. brazili consists mainly of birds' eggs.[1][4]

Reproduction

R. brazili is oviparous.[4]

References

Further reading

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