Geographic range:
Neotropical: Endemic to western México. It occurs from
s. Sonora to Guerrero. Primarily an inhabitant of the coastal plain,
foothills and lower sierras, it enters the western portions of the
central plateau in Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, México
and Morelos. From sea level to around 1500 m.
Taxonomy: Formerly this genus was thought to consist of several
different species, but today they are all considered to be conspecific,
with no subspecies.
Physical characteristics: A small
snake with very smooth scales. Slightly larger than the closely related
Ficimia and Gyalopion. The rostral scale is slightly upturned, hinting
at a close relationship with the other "hook-nosed" snakes.
The ground coloration varies from cream or tan to brown or rust. Dark
spots, bands or other irregular markings are present on the dorsum.
A dark transverse bar is present on the head. 49 - 56 cm.
Behavior: A
highly secretive snake. Little is known about the behavior, although
it seems to be predominately subterranean, and active only at nights.
Habitat: This snake occurs in tropical deciduous forest, humid
semi-deciduous forest, tropical savanna, mesquite grassland and mixed
tropical-pine-oak woodland. It may occur in rocky areas, but is also
found in fields and flats devoid of rocks.
Biomes: tropical deciduous forest,
grassland, wetlands
Conservation: Not much is known about
this snake, however, it seems to be an uncommon snake throughout most
of it's range. The lack of encounters is probably due to it's secretive
habits.
text by Chris
Grünwald |
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