Drymobius

Drymobius
Drymobius
Drymobius margaritiferus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Colubrinae
Genus: Drymobius
Fitzinger, 1843
Synonyms

Coluber, Herpetodryas, Leptophis, Masticophis, Thamnophis, Zamenis[1]

Drymobius is a genus of colubrid snakes commonly referred to as neotropical racers. There are four species recognized in the genus.

Contents

Geographic range

They are found predominantly in Mexico and Central America, but they range as far north as the southern tip of Texas in the United States, and as far south as Brazil in South America.

Description

Drymobius species grow to .75-1 m (30-40 inches) in total length. Their coloration and pattern vary widely among species.

Behaviour

Drymobius are diurnal species, found in areas of heavy vegetation, almost always near a permanent water source. They are fast moving, and do not generally hesitate to bite if handled.

Diet

Their primary diet consists of frogs and toads.

Reproduction

Breeding occurs in the spring, and clutches of 6-8 eggs are laid in the early summer. The eggs hatch in approximately two months. Hatchlings are 15-18 cm (6-7 inches) in total length.

Species

  • green highland racer, Drymobius chloroticus (Cope, 1886) - Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
  • speckled racer, Drymobius margaritiferus (Schlegel, 1837) - United States (Texas), Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Colombia.
    • Drymobius margaritiferus margaritiferus (Schlegel, 1837)
    • Drymobius margaritiferus fistulosus (Smith, 1942)
    • Drymobius margaritiferus occidentalis (Bocourt, 1890)
  • black forest racer, Drymobius melanotropis (Cope, 1876) - Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
  • Esmarald racer, Drymobius rhombifer (Günther), 1860) - Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil.

References

  1. ^ Wright, A.H. & A.A. Wright. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Comstock. Ithaca & London.


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