Dipsas

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Dipsas
Dipsas catesbyi in Ecuador
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Dipsadinae
Genus: Dipsas
Laurenti, 1768

Dipsas is a genus of nonvenomous New World snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The genus Sibynomorphus has been moved here. Species of the genus Dipsas are known as snail-eaters.

Taxonomy

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The genus Dipsas includes over 50 distinct species.[1] The following species are recognized as being valid.[2]

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Dipsas.

Description

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Dipsas species are slender, small to medium-sized snakes, often no longer than 60 cm (24 in), and rarely longer than 100 cm (39 in). Coloration and color pattern may vary, but often consist of black and brown, frequently with alternating rings separated by white.

Distribution and habitat

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Species in the genus Dipsas are found from southern Mexico through Central America and South America, as far as Argentina and Paraguay.[5][6]

Behavior and diet

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Species in the genus Dipsas are mostly arboreal snakes that mainly feed on land snails and slugs.

References

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  1. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Genus Dipsas at The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  3. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ Fernandes DS, Marques OAV, Argôlo AJS (2010). "A new species of Dipsas Laurenti from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)". Zootaxa 2691: 57–66. Preview
  5. ^ de Lima, Ana Caroline; da Costa Prudente, Ana Lúcia (2009). "Morphological variation and systematics of Dipsas catesbyi (Sentzen, 1796) and Dipsas pavonina Schlegel, 1837 (Serpentes: Dipsadinae)". Zootaxa 2203: 31-48. Abstract & excerpt
  6. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Further reading

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  • Freiberg MA (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. 189 pp. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).. (Genus Dipsas, pp. 93–94).
  • Laurenti JN (1768). Specimen medicum, exhibens synopsin reptilium emendatam cum experimentis circa venena et antidota reptilium austriacorum. Vienna: "Joan. Thom. Nob. de Trattnern". 214 pp. + Plates I-V. (Dipsas, new genus, pp. 89–90). (in Latin).

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