Forest sharp-tailed snake
| Forest sharp-tailed snake | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Contia |
| Species: | C. longicauda |
| Binomial name | |
| Contia longicauda | |
| Synonyms[4] | |
The forest sharp-tailed snake (Contia longicaudae) is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the western coast of the United States.[4]
Geographic range
[edit]C. longicaudae is found in northern California and southern Oregon.[4]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]The forest sharp-tailed snake is not as widespread as its relative Contia tenuis (the sharp-tailed snake). The forest sharp-tailed snake is found in shaded wet forests along the western coast of the United States. The forest sharp-tailed snake went unnoticed for a long time due to its vast similarities to C. tenuis, the secretive nature of both species of sharp-tailed snakes, and their seasonally limited amount of activity.[3]
Identification
[edit]The easiest way to set the two species apart is by looking at the tail length and the subcaudal scales. The forest sharp-tailed snake has a longer tail than Contia tenuis and more subcaudal scales. Specifically, the forest sharp-tailed snake has 43 to 58 subcaudal scales, whereas Contia tenuis has 24 to 42.[4]
References
[edit]- ↑ Hammerson, G.A. (2019). "Contia longicauda". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019 e.T90066834A90066849. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T90066834A90066849.en.
- ↑ NatureServe. "Contia longicaudae". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- 1 2 Feldman, CR; Hoyer, RF (2010). "A New Species of Snake in the Genus Contia (Squamata: Colubridae) from California and Oregon". Copeia. 2010 (2): 254–267. doi:10.1643/CH-09-129. S2CID 44218937. (Contia longicaudae, new species).
- 1 2 3 4 Contia longicaudae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 21 May 2013.
.jpg){kind=small} | This article relating to Dipsadinae is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |