Trimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsonii
| Texas lyre snake | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Trimorphodon |
| Species: | T. biscutatus |
| Subspecies: | T. b. vilkinsonii |
| Trinomial name | |
| Trimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsonii Cope, 1886 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
The Texas lyre snake (Trimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsonii ) is a subspecies of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The subspecies is endemic to the southwestern United States and adjacent northern Mexico.
Etymology
The epithet vilkinsonii is in honor of amateur American naturalist Edward Wilkinson, who collected the first specimen near the city of Chihuahua.[2][3]
Taxonomy
Some sources consider the Texas lyre snake to be its own species (Trimorphodon vilkinsonii ).
Geographic range
T. b. vilkinsonii is found in the United States in the Big Bend region of Texas and southern New Mexico, and in Mexico in northeastern Chihuahua.
Description
The Texas lyre snake is a medium-sized snake, attaining a total length (including tail) of approximately 1 meter (39 inches) at adult size.[4] It is brown, tan or gray with 17-24 dark brown blotches down the back. It has large eyes with vertical pupils. The common name, "lyre snake", refers to a distinctive V-shaped pattern on the head which resembles the shape of a lyre. However, it should be noted that this particular subspecies (T. b. vilkinsonii ) has no V mark on the head.[5]
Behavior
Lyre snakes are nocturnal, spending most of their time hiding in rock crevices, emerging to feed mainly on lizards,[6] and also on small rodents, frogs, bats and birds.[7] Their venom is not considered to be harmful to humans. Also, if their venom is not fatal to their prey, they may kill by constriction.[8]
Reproduction
Lyre snakes are oviparous, laying about a dozen eggs per clutch.[6]
References
- ↑ "Trimorphodon vilkinsonii ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ↑ Beltz, Ellin (2006). Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America – Explained.
- ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Trimorphodon vilkinsonii, p. 286).
- ↑ Wright, A.H., and A.A. Wright (1957). Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Ithaca and London: Comstock. 1,105 pp. (in 2 volumes). (Trimorphodon vilkinsoni, pp. 876-879, Figure 251 + Map 61 on p. 869).
- ↑ Smith, H.M., and E.D. Brodie, Jr. (1982). Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. ISBN 0-307-13666-3 (paperback), ISBN 0-307-47009-1 (hardcover). (Trimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsoni, pp. 176-177).
- 1 2 Schmidt, K.P., and D.D. Davis (1941). Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 365 pp. (Trimorphodon vilkinsonii, pp. 264-265).
- ↑ Conant, Roger (1975). A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. xviii + 429 pp. + Plates 1-48. ISBN 0-395-19979-4 (hardcover), ISBN 0-395-19977-8 (paperback). (Trimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsoni, pp. 218-219 + Plate 32 + Map 171).
- ↑ Rodman, G.B. (1939). "Habits of Trimorphodon vandenburghi in Captivity". Copeia 1939: 50.
External links
- Species Trimorphodon biscutatus at The Reptile Database
Further reading
- Cope, E.D. (1886). "Thirteenth Contribution to the Herpetology of Tropical America". Proc. American Philosophical Soc. 23: 271-287. (Trimorphodon vilkinsonii, new species, pp. 285-286).