Geographic range:
Neotropical: This snake inhabits the lowlands and foothills
of central and southern Sonora, through most of Sinaloa. It may occur
into Nayarit, but has not been found there to our knowledge. From
sea level to around 1200 m.
Physical characteristics: : A small
fossorial snake which is one of the most successful coral snake "mimics".
The dorsal pattern is highly variable, but usually consists of a varying
amount of red, yellow and black bands (triads). The snake may exhibit
patterns where black separates red and yellow, or patterns where red
and yellow are touching. Occasionally, both patterns may be present
on the same animal, or at times the animal may be completely red with
only one triad on the head.
Food habits: It feeds on invertebrates,
such as insect and their larvae, spiders and scorpions.
Behavior: Not much is known about
this snakes natural history. Apparently it spends most of it's time
underground, and it is encountered under rocks. It becomes active
during heavy rains, either to breed or because it is washed out of
it's burrows. During these rains it can occasionally be seen on roadways
at night.
Habitat: A snake of thornscrub, tropical deciduous forest,
oak woodland and savanna. Usually in rocky terrain, but by now means
limited to such. It seems to prefer flats, gently sloping rocky hillsides,
and river valleys.
Biomes: tropical forest, grassland
Conservation: Endemic to México.
This snake seems to be locally abundant, although few specimen turn
up throughout most of it's range. This is likely due to it's extremely
secretive habits.
text by Chris
Grünwald |
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