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Chironius carinatus

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machete savane
Scientific classification
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C. carinatus
Binomial name
Chironius carinatus
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms

Coluber carinatus Linnaeus, 1758
Herpetodryas carinatus Boulenger, 1894

Chironius 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.

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

  1. ^ 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.