Texas scarlet snake
Texas scarlet snake | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Cemophora |
Species: | C. lineri |
Binomial name | |
Cemophora lineri K.L. Williams, B.C. Brown & Wilson, 1966 | |
The Texas scarlet snake (Cemophora lineri) is a subspecies of nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to the United States. It was previously considered a subspecies of Cemophora coccinea.
Etymology
The specific name or epithet, lineri, is in honor of American zoologist Ernest A. Liner, who collected the first specimen in 1963.[1]
Geographic range
It is found in southern Texas. Its range does not overlap with other subspecies of scarlet snake.
Description
The Texas scarlet snake is the largest of the scarlet snake species, and is capable of growing to a total length (body + tail) of 66 cm (26 inches). It has a gray or white background color, with distinct red blotches that have black borders. Unlike other species, the black borders do not join on the sides. Its belly is a solid white or gray.
Behavior
Like all scarlet snakes, the Texas scarlet snake is a secretive burrower, spending most of its time under ground. It prefers sandy thicket habitats along the Gulf of Mexico coastline.
Diet
Its preferred diet is the eggs of other reptiles, but it will also eat small rodents and lizards.
References
External links
- Species Cemophora lineri at The Reptile Database
Further reading
- Behler, J.L., and F.W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Knopf. 743 pp. ISBN 0-394-50824-6. (Cemophora coccinea lineri, p. 593).
- Conant, R. 1975. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. xviii + 429 pp. ISBN 0-395-19979-4 (hardcover), ISBN 0-395-19977-8 (paperback). (Cemophora coccinea lineri, p. 212 + Map 152).
- Williams, K.L., B.C. Brown, and L.D. Wilson. 1966. A new subspecies of the colubrid snake Cemophora coccinea (Blumenbach) from Southern Texas. Texas Journal of Science 18: 85-88. (Cemophora coccinea lineri, new subspecies).