Alsophis antillensis

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Alsophis antillensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Alsophis
Species:
A. antillensis
Binomial name
Alsophis antillensis
Schlegel, 1837
Synonyms

Psammophis antillensis
Dromicus antillensis
Dromicus leucomelas

Alsophis antillensis, the Guadeloupe racer, Antilles racer, or Leeward racer, is a species of snake endemic to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.

Description[edit]

It can reach nearly a meter in length. It feeds on lizards and small rodents. It rarely bites humans, but may release a foul-smelling (though harmless) cloacal secretion when disturbed.[2][3]

Taxonomy[edit]

Alsophis sibonius from Dominica and Alsophis manselli from Montserrat were previously considered subspecies, but are now considered their own species.[4][5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gomès, R., Dewynter, M., Henderson, R.W. & Powell, R. 2016. Alsophis antillensis (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T190566A115325668. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T190566A71748196.en. Downloaded on 01 May 2021.
  2. ^ Malhotra, Anita; Thorpe, Roger S. (1999), Reptiles & Amphibians of the Eastern Caribbean, Macmillan Education Ltd., pp. 27, 38–39, 75, 84, 87, 88, 122, ISBN 0-333-69141-5
  3. ^ Powell, Robert; Henderson, Robert W. (2005), "Conservation Status of Lesser Antillean Reptiles", Iguana, 12 (2): 63–77
  4. ^ Daltry, J.C.; Henderson, R.W.; Powell, R. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Alsophis manselli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T190567A115325863. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T190567A71748201.en. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  5. ^ Henderson, R.W.; Powell, R. (2019). "Alsophis sibonius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T190569A71748211. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T190569A71748211.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.

External links[edit]