Pseudelaphe flavirufa flavirufa

(Cope, 1867)

Vernacular names

English : Yellow-red ratsnake
French : Serpent ratier d’Amérique Centrale

Classification

Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Colubridae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known.

Identification

Adults can reach a length of 80 cm, rarely more. The species has an elongated head with blunt snout and very big eyes. Ground coloration beige to grey-beige with very large dark-edged brown blotches on back, extending to half of flanks.

Range and habitat

This subspecies is endemic to eastern Mexico. The species also occurs in southern Mexico to Yucatan peninsula, then to Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras. Lives in subtropical semi-deciduous, thorny and secondary forests in lowlands.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a large and is considered widespread and relatively common. Logging for agriculture and deforestations are becoming threats and causing local declines.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation