The Texas lyre snake (Trimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsonii) is a subspecies of mildly venomous rear-fanged colubrid. The epithet vilkinsonii is in honor of amateur American naturalist Edward Wilkinson, who collected the first specimen near the city of Chihuahua.[1] Some sources consider it to be its own species (Trimorphodon vilkinsonii).
Geographic range[]
It is found in the United States in the Big Bend region of Texas and southern New Mexico, and in Mexico in northeastern Chihuahua.
Description[]
They are medium-sized snakes, attaining lengths of approximately 1 meter (39 inches) at adult size.[1] They are brown, tan or gray with 17-24 dark brown blotches down the back. They have large eyes with vertical pupils. The common name, lyre snakes, comes from a distinctive V shaped pattern on the head which resembles the shape of a lyre. However, it should be noted that this particular subspecies (T. b. vilkinsonii) has no V mark on the head.[2]
Behavior[]
Lyre snakes are nocturnal, spending most of their time hiding in rock crevices, emerging to feed mainly on lizards,[3] and also on small rodents, frogs, bats and birds.[4] Their venom is not considered to be harmful to humans. Also, if their venom is not fatal to their prey, they may kill by constriction.[5]
Reproduction[]
Lyre snakes are oviparous, laying about a dozen eggs per clutch.[6]
References[]
- Template:EMBL species
- NatureServe Explorer Comprehensive Species Report: Trimorphodon biscutatus
- ↑ Wright, A.H. and A.A. Wright. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Comstock. Ithaca and London.
- ↑ Smith, H.M. and E.D. Brodie, Jr. 1982. Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Golden Press. New York.
- ↑ Schmidt, K.P. and D.D. Davis. 1941. Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada. G.P. Putnam's Sons. New York.
- ↑ Conant, Roger. 1975. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin. Boston.
- ↑ Rodman,G.B. 1939. Habits of Trimorphodon vandenburghi in Captivity. Copeia, 1939,p. 50.
- ↑ Schmidt, K.P. and D.D. Davis. Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada. G.P. Putnam's Sons. New York.
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pl:Trimorphodon biscutatus vilkinsonii