| Tropidophis canus | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Tropidophiidae |
| Genus: | Tropidophis |
| Species: | T. canus |
| Binomial name | |
| Tropidophis canus (Cope, 1868) |
|
| Subspecies | |
|
4 recognized, see text |
|
| Synonyms | |
The Bahamian Pygmy Boa Constrictor (Tropidophis canus) or simply the Bahamian Pygmy Boa is a species of nonvenomous dwarf boa native to the Bahamas. The snake's length is short, averaging between 30 centimetres (12 in) and 60 centimetres (24 in). Bahamian Pygmy Boas have the ability to voluntarily bleed and coil into a tight ball as a defense mechanisms. Four subspecies are recognized, and occur across many different Bahamian Islands.
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Like many species of Pygmy Boa the Bahamian Pygmy Boa is a rather small snake averaging between 30 centimetres (12 in) and 60 centimetres (24 in) in total length.[1][2] The snake has the ability to change color through the movement of its dark pigment granules. Depending on the time of the day, a light or dark color may provide better camouflage.[1] The Bahamian Pygmy Boa has a yellow-orange tip on its tail, which is likely used to lure unsuspecting prey.[1] In the 1960s herpetologists Schwartz and March recorded an ontogenetic change within the populations of all four subspecies.[3] Juvenile snakes were reportedly spotted with dark blotches on a lighter ground color, while adults were only faintly spotted with a less prominent body color.[3]
Bahamian Pygmy Boas are mostly inactive during daytime hours, usually coming out at night or during rain.[1] Most dwarf boas are terrestrial and rest underground or in vegetation. A few have adapted to being arboreal.[1][2] If threatened, the snake has been observed to coil up into a tight ball similar to that of a ball python.[1] On Andros Island the species is known as the "shame snake" because of this defensive tactic.[1] It also has the ability to voluntarily bleed from its eyes, mouth and nostrils.[1][2][4]