Tropidophis melanurus

Tropidophis melanurus, commonly known as dusky dwarf boa,[2] Cuban wood snake, or Cuban giant dwarf boa, is a non-venomous dwarf boa species found mainly in Cuba. Currently, there are three subspecies recognized, including the typical form described here.[2]

Tropidophis melanurus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Tropidophiidae
Genus: Tropidophis
Species:
T. melanurus
Binomial name
Tropidophis melanurus
(Schlegel, 1837)
Synonyms
  • Boa melanura - Schlegel, 1837
  • Tropidophis melanurus - Bibron In de la Sagra, 1840
  • Notophis bicarinatus - Hallowell, 1856
  • Ungalia melanura - Cope, 1868
  • Ungalia melanura - Boulenger, 1893
  • U[ngalia]. melanura - Cope, 1868
  • Tropidophis melanurus melanurus - Schwartz & Thomas, 1960[1]

Description

Adults grow to an average of 32 to 39 in (80 to 100 cm) in length.[3]

Geographic range

Found in Cuba, as well as on some nearby islands, including Cayos de San Felipe (Cayo Real), Isla de la Juventud and Navassa Island. The type locality given is "l'île de Cuba."[1]

Feeding

Under natural circumstances, the diet consists of lizards and amphibians, although specimens in captivity can be switched to rodents.

Subspecies
Subspecies[2] Taxon author[2] Common name Geographic range
Tropidophis melanurus dysodes Schwartz & Thomas, 1960 Type locality: "one km N. of La Coloma, Pinar del Río Province, Cuba.
Tropidophis melanurus ericksoni Schwartz & Thomas, 1960 Type locality: "Bibijagua, Isla de Piños, Habana Province, Cuba."
Tropidophis melanurus melanurus (Schlegel, 1837) Type locality: "l'île de Cuba."

References
  1. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. "Tropidophis melanurus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  3. Burnie D, Wilson DE. 2001. Animal. Dorling Kindersley. 624 pp. ISBN 0-7894-7764-5.


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