 |
|
Squamata, Serpentes, Tropidophiidae - Wood Snakes |
| Wood Snakes occur in the West Indies, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. There is one genus and about 16 species. Several investigations using nuclear genes suggest that Tropidophis is the sister to the pipe snake of the genus Anilius (Vidal and Hedges, 2002. C. R. Biologies 325:977-985; Noonan and Chipendale 2006. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 40:347-358). However, this relationship was not supported by two studies using mtDNA genes. They have been called dwarf boas and were previously suspected to be closely related to the Boidae. They have a gape larger than the pipe snakes, that is they can swallow larger prey, and they have a large tracheal lung (the trachae functions like a lung). Most species retain the remains of a pelvis. Wood Snakes also have the unusual habit of auto hemorrhaging where they bleed from the mouth and eyes when being attacked by a predator; during defense they will also coil into a ball, and smear foul smelling cloacal fluids on themselves. And, some species have the ability to change color. |
 |
Bahamian Wood Snake, Tropidophis canus (Cope, 1868). Endemic to the Bahama's West Indies. Photograph of a captive of unknown origin. Adult maximum size to about 400 mm. Feeds on frogs and lizards. Its defense behavior includes holding its tail erect, and bleeding from the eyes and mouth (auto hemorrhaging) .
|
 |
Cope's Hispaniola Wood Snake, Tropidophis haetianus (Cope, 1879). Inhabits eastern Cuba, Hispaniola and offshore satellite islets, and Jamaica. Adult maximum size to about 700 mm. Uses Acacia scrub, pastures, agricultural fields, and cacao plantations. It will climb into bushes and trees. Females give birth to 4-9 young.
|
 |
Tropidophis sp. Photograph of a captive. Origin unknown.
|
| |
 |
|
| All text and photographs copyright © John C. Murphy. All rights reserved worldwide. The content of this site is made available for purposes of researching images offered for license by John C. Murphy. No image is to be copied, duplicated, modified or redistributed in whole or part without the prior written permission of JCM Natural History Photography. Email: jcm@jcmnaturalhistory.com |
|