Tropidophis greenwayi 

Tropidophis greenwayi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Tropidophiidae
Genus: Tropidophis
Species: T. greenwayi
Binomial name
Tropidophis greenwayi
Barbour & Shreve, 1936
Synonyms
  • Tropidophis pardalis greenwayi - Barbour & Shreve, 1936
  • Tropidophis greenwayi greenwayi - Schwartz, 19631

Common names: Caicos Islands dwarf boa.2

Tropidophis greenwayi is a non-venomous dwarf boa species found in the Caicos Islands. Two subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.3

Contents

Description

Adults reach maturity at lengths of 225 mm in males and 250-265 mm in females. The maximum size is 38 cm.2

Geographic range

Found in the West Indies in the Caicos Islands, particularly on the islands of Ambergris Cay, Long Caye, Middle Caicos, Middleton Cay, North Caicos, South Caicos, and probably also on Providenciales. The type locality given is "Ambergris Cay, Caicos Islands, Bahamas."1

Habitat

Occurs in the rocky limestone areas of the cays.2

Conservation

Because of its restricted island distribution, it is susceptible to extirpation. Unless wildlife protection laws are enforced, the relatively secretive nature of this snake may be its only protection against extinction.2

Feeding

The diet consists mainly of anoles and geckos.2

Subspecies

Subspecies3 Taxon author3 Common name Geographic range
T. g. greenwayi (Barbour & Shreve, 1936) Type locality: Ambergris Cay.
T. g. lanthanus Schwartz, 1963 Type locality: South Caicos.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d e Iverson JB. 1886. Notes on the Natural History of the Caicos Islands dwarf boa, Tropidophis greenwayi. Carib. J. Sci. Vol 22(3-4), pages 191-198. PDF at University of Puerto Rico. Accessed 22 September 2007.
  3. ^ a b c Tropidophis greenwayi (TSN 634821). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 22 September 2007.

External links