Oxyrhopus petolarius
Species of snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oxyrhopus petolarius, commonly known as the forest flame snake, is a species of mildly venomous[6] snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Central and South America.[7] There are three recognized subspecies.
| Oxyrhopus petolarius | |
|---|---|
| |
| Dapa, Colombia | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Oxyrhopus |
| Species: | O. petolarius |
| Binomial name | |
| Oxyrhopus petolarius | |
| Synonyms | |
Taxonomy and nomenclature
According to American herpetologist Jay M. Savage (2011) the correct scientific name should be Oxyrhopus petolarius.[5]
Geographic range
Oxyrhopus petolarius is found in central and northern South America, including Trinidad and Tobago.[7]
Habitat
Description
Adults of Oxyrhopus petolarius may attain a total length of 91 cm (36 in), which includes a tail 22 cm (8.7 in) long.[3]
Coloration is variable. It usually consists of some combination of red and black rings or crossbands. In some individuals the light-colored crossbands are white instead of red on the anterior part of the body.[3]
The dorsal scales are smooth, with apical pits, and are arranged in 19 rows at midbody.[3]
Venom
Oxyrhopus petolarius is rear-fanged, and its venom is extremely toxic to anole lizards.[7]
Diet
Reproduction
Subspecies
Three subspecies of Oxyrhopus petolarius are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[4]
- Oxyrhopus petolarius digitalis (Reuss, 1834)
- Oxyrhopus petolarius petolarius (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Oxyrhopus petolarius sebae A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854[9]
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Oxyrhopus.
Etymology
The subspecific name, sebae, is in honor of Dutch naturalist Albertus Seba.[10]