- Chironius carinatus
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machete savane Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Colubridae Subfamily: Colubrinae Genus: Chironius Species: C. carinatus Binomial name Chironius carinatus
(Linnaeus, 1758)Synonyms Coluber carinatus Linnaeus, 1758
Herpetodryas carinatus Boulenger, 1894Chironius carinatus, commonly known as the machete savane, is a very large, but slender colubrid snake. Although nonvenomous, this snake is well known for its aggressive behaviour.
Contents
Geographic range
It is endemic to the Guianas, northern Brazil to Costa Rica, eastern Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Description
Chironius carinatus may grow to 3 m (9.8 feet) in total length. Body color can range from brown to deep yellow or gold, with the tail being generally darker than the body. The belly is often a bright shade of yellow or orange. In most specimens, body scales have lightly colored centers with darker edges. A light colored stripe runs down the length of the body, fading at the tail. The dorsal scales are in 12 rows.[1]
Diet
It feeds on frogs, mice, and birds.
References
- ^ Boulenger, G.A. 1894. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History), Volume II. London. pp. 73-75.
Boos, Hans E.A. (2001). The snakes of Trinidad and Tobago. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, TX.. ISBN 1-58544-116-3.
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