Regina alleni

Regina alleni
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Natricinae
Genus: Regina
Species: R. alleni
Binomial name
Regina alleni
(Garman, 1874)
Synonyms [1][2][3]
  • Helicops alleni Garman, 1874
  • Liodytes alleni – Cope, 1892
  • Helicops allenii
    – Boulenger, 1893
  • Liodytes alleni
    – Stejneger & Barbour, 1917
  • Regina alleni
    – Conant & Collins, 1991

Regina alleni, the striped crayfish snake, is a species of North American snake that derives its common name from its principal prey, crayfish. This snake is also called the striped swamp snake. It is endemic to peninsular Florida.[4]

Although rarely seen due to its secretive behavior, it can be found in large numbers in wet areas.

Etymology

The specific name, alleni, is in honor of zoologist Joel Asaph Allen, who collected the type specimen.

Description

This snake is of "small medium"[5] size, 33–50 centimetres (13–20 in)[6] with a heavy body. The stripes which contribute to its common name are indistinct and located on the dark dorsal side. The ventral side is yellow with some dark spots. There is a clear sexual dimorphism with the females being the larger sex.

Habitat and geographic range

The striped crayfish snake is an aquatic snake and is regularly found in swamps and bogs, including cypress swamps as well as roadside ditches. The northern range limit is near the Florida-Georgia border.

Behavior

Besides crayfish, this snake also eats shrimp and dragonfly larvae.

Reproduction

Regina alleni is a live-bearer, and the females produce six or more young.

External links

References

  1. ↑ Jennifer Staiger (February 2010). Kenneth L. Krysko & F. Wayne King, ed. "Striped Crayfish Snake". Online Guide to Florida Snakes. Florida Museum of Natural History. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  2. ↑ Stejneger, L.H. and T. Barbour. 1917. A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. Harvard University Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts. 125 pp. (Liodytes alleni, p. 100.)
  3. ↑ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org. (Regina alleni)
  4. ↑ Smith, H.M. and E.D. Brodie, Jr. 1982. Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Golden Press. New York. 240 pp. (STRIPED SWAMP SNAKE, pp. 158-159.)
  5. ↑ Wright, A.H. and A.A. Wright. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Two Volumes. Comstock. Ithaca and London. 1,106 pp. (Size of adults, p. 7.)
  6. ↑ Conant, Roger. 1975. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Second Edition. Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 429 pp. (STRIPED SWAMP SNAKE Liodytes alleni, p. 152, Plate 22, Map 111.)

Further reading