Drymobius margaritiferus margaritiferus

(Schlegel, 1837)

Vernacular names
English : Northern speckled racer
French : Couleuvre perlée

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Colubridae
Notes : 3 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach up to 1.20 meters in length. Slender snake with big eyes and quite short head. Head is generally reddish with black ocular stripe. Body coloration is black with more or less big green or blue spots on each scales.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in Central America, from south Texas to north-west and central Mexico, south to Panama and Colombia. Subspecies found in south USA and north Mexico in Veracruz state. Lives in all kinds of densly vegetated habitats, most often near water.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is still relatively common in the wild. Local declines are noted because of habitat loss.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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