Leptophis diplotropis
Species of snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leptophis diplotropis, commonly known as the Pacific Coast parrot snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae.[5] The species is endemic to Mexico.[1]
| Leptophis diplotropis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Original illustration by G.H. Ford in Günther, 1872 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Leptophis |
| Species: | L. diplotropis |
| Binomial name | |
| Leptophis diplotropis (Günther, 1872) | |
| Synonyms[2][3][4] | |
| |
Geographic range
Description
Dorsally, L. diplotropis is green (which fades to blue in alcohol) with black and white striping. Ventrally, it is white. Males may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 90 cm (35 in) plus a tail length of 51 cm (20 in). Females, which are smaller, may attain 73 cm (29 in) SVL plus a 37 cm (15 in) tail. It has on average 19 maxillary teeth, of which the rearmost two are strongly enlarged.[3]
Subspecies
There are two recognized subspecies, including the nominate race.
- Leptophis diplotropis diplotropis (Günther, 1872)
- Leptophis diplotropis forreri H.M. Smith, 1943
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Leptophis.
Etymology
The subspecific name, forreri, is in honor of Alphonse Forrer (1836–1899), an English-born collector of zoological specimens in Mexico for the British Museum.[6]
Habitat
L. diplotropis is found in tropical dry forest, semi-deciduous forest, mangrove forest, oak forest and wet forest, from sea level up to 1,600 m (5,200 ft). It is a highly adaptable species, which is also found in disturbed areas.[1]
Behavior
Diet
L. diplotropis preys predominately upon frogs (genera Agalychnis, Lithobates, Smilisca, Tlalocohyla, Trachycephalus) and lizards (genus Phyllodactylus).[7]
