Clelia scytalina
Clelia scytalina, commonly known as the Mexican snake eater[2] or zopilota de altura (highland mussarana),[3] is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the New World.
| Clelia scytalina | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Clelia |
| Species: | C. scytalina |
| Binomial name | |
| Clelia scytalina | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Geographic range
C. scytalina is found in Southern Mexico, Central America, and Colombia.[2]
Description
The head of C. scytalina is somewhat distinct from the neck. The eye is moderate in size, with a vertically elliptical pupil. The body is cylindrical, and the tail is moderately long.[3]
The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody.[3]
The coloration of juveniles is completely different from that of adults. Juveniles have a black head, a yellow or white nuchal crossband (collar), and a red body. Juveniles are often mistaken for coral snakes and killed.[3] Adults are uniform bluish black dorsally, and cream-colored ventrally.[4]
Habitat
C. scytalina is a terrestrial animal which inhabits old-growth and second-growth forests and their borders. Occasionally it is found in open areas in submontane and montane life zones.[3]
Diet
Like other species of mussurana, C. scytalina is known to feed on other snakes.[3]
Reproduction
Clelia scytalina is oviparous (egg-laying).[3]
References
- "Clelia scytalina ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
- "Clelia scytalina (Cope, 1867)" at the Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. Consulted: 22 April 2012.
- Muñoz Chacón, Federico. (2000) Clelia scytalina (Cope, 1867) Archived 2014-01-10 at the Wayback Machine. INBio (Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad ), Costa Rica. Consulted: 22 April 2012.
- Savage JM (2002). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between Two Continents, between Two Seas. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press. xx + 945 pp. ISBN 0-226-73537-0. (Clelia scytalina, p. 574).
External links
- Clelia scytalina at the Encyclopedia of Life.
Further reading
- Cope ED (1867). "Fifth Contribution to the HERPETOLOGY of Tropical America". Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 18 ["1866"]: 317–323. (Scolecophis scytalinus, new species, p. 320.).
- Muñoz Chacón, Federico; Johnston, Richard Dennis (2013). Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Pocket Guide. Ithaca, New York: Comstock. 170 pp. ISBN 0801478693.