Geographic range:
Neotropical: Mexican endemit. From southern Sonora south nw.
Jalisco. It is most common in Sinaloa and Nayarit. In Sonora it is
only known from one locality on the Rio Yaqui near Ciuadad Obregon.
In Jalisco it ranges to the mouth of the Rio Lerma at Laguna Chapala.
Usually below 500 m, though up to 1500 m in Jalisco.
Taxonomy: No subspecies recognized. This species is rather
distinct from other Leptodeira and maybe closer related to Pseudoleptodeira
or Eridiphas.
Physical characteristics: : A medium-sized
snake with smooth scales and an enlarged, triangular head. The pupils
are vertical. The ground coloration varies, from yellow or orange
to tan or dark brown. Small, black spots present on the dorsum. 31
- 45 cm.
Food habits: It feeds on frogs,
their larvae and eggs.
Reproduction: Six to seven eggs are
laid in July or August.
Behavior: Nocturnal.
Active snake which is often encountered crossing roads at night in
large numbers. It is usually active in areas where amphibians are
chorusing, where it forages frogs, their larvae and eggs. Mainly active
between June and September.
Habitat: This is an inhabitant of thornscrub, tropical deciduous
forest and tropical savanna, although it is very common in agricultural
areas and wetlands such as marshes, mangroves, and swamps.
Biomes: tropical deciduous forest,
grassland, wetlands
Conservation: The most common snake
in Sinaloa. The abundance of this species can be amazing. In June
of 2004, six specimen observed (AOR and DOR) in one spot on the road!
A total of over 20 specimens were seen on one pass on the road. (C.G.
personal observation)
text by Chris
Grünwald |
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