Source: Wikipedia
| Rhadinaea decorata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Rhadinaea |
| Species: | R. decorata
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhadinaea decorata (Günther, 1858)
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Rhadinaea decorata, the adorned graceful brown snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is found in Central and South America.
Etymology
[edit]The name Rhadinaea comes from the greek word for slender.[2] The species name decorata was given to the snake for the white markings on its head means “decorated or adorned”.[3]
Description
[edit]Snakes of this species are generally brown in color, with dark lines down the sides of their bodies and oftentimes another similar marking down the spine. These two dark streaks are often separated by another stripe that is tan in color. A white marking behind the eyes serve as the species' namesake. In species that are more southern in distribution, this marking is longer and continuous along the rest of the body. Notable features of Rhadinaea decorata include a long tail, taking up a maximum of 47% of its body. They are also known to have a smaller number of ventral scales to other species, with scientists counting between 110 and 134 scales on collected specimens.[3]
Rhadinaea decorata can get as long as 470 mm long, however lengths exceeding 400 mm are atypical.[3]
Behavior and ecology
[edit]Diet
[edit]Rhadinaea decorata has been observed preying on small amphibians and their eggs, such as Bolitoglossa rufescens and Agalychis moreletii. They have also been seen eating earthworms.[4] There are also multiple records of the snakes preying on strawberry poison-dart frogs (Oophaga pumilio), despite their toxicity.[5]
Reproduction
[edit]Through various studies, evidence has been found to suggest that R. decorata breed throughout most of the year. They do not appear, however, to lay more than one small clutch of eggs annually.[6]
Defensive behavior
[edit]There have been at least two observations of death feigning in R. decorata. One event included the snake discharging a foul-smelling substance from its cloaca, known as musk. It is likely they also exhibit tail autonomy, as snakes have been found missing portions of their tail as well.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Chaves, G.; Köhler, G.; Lamar, W.; Porras, L.W. (2017). "Rhadinaea decorata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T198401A2525266. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1954). Composition of Scientific Words. Washington. p. 882.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b c Myers, Charles W. (1974). The systematics of Rhadinaea (Colubridae), a genus of New World snakes. New York, United States: American Museum of Natural History. p. 76.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Akcali, Christopher K. (2018). "Rhadinaea decorata (Striped Forest Snake). Diet" (PDF). Herpetological Review. 49 (1): 140–141.
- ^ Lenger, Daniel R.; Berkey, Julia K.; Dugas, Matthew B. (February 17, 2014). "Predation on the toxic Oophaga pumilio (Anura: Dendrobatidae) by Rhadinaea decorata (Squamata: Collubridae)" (PDF). Herpetology Notes. 7: 83–84.
- ^ Goldberg, Stephen R. (2007). "Notes on reproduction of the adorned graceful brown snake, Rhadinaea decorata (Serpentes, Colubridae), from Costa Rica". Phyllomedusa Journal of Herpetology. 6 (2): 151–153.
- ^ Quintero-Arrieta, Helio; Fuentes, Rogemif (2022). "Rhadinaea decorata (Elegant Leaf Litter Snake). Defensive behavior / death feigning". Herpetological Review. 53 (3): 518.
- Species Rhadinaea decorata at The Reptile Database
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