Atractus trilineatus

Atractus trilineatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Xenodontinae
Genus: Atractus
Species: A. trilineatus
Binomial name
Atracus trilineatus
Wagler, 1828[1]

Atractus trilineatus, commonly known as the three-lined ground snake, is a species of small burrowing colubrid snake, which is endemic to South America.[2]

Geographic range

It is found in northern South America,[3] including the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.[2]

Description

Adults may attain 225 mm (8 34 in) in total length, including a short tail of 15 mm (12 in). Dorsally, they are brown with three or four darker longitudinal stripes; ventrally they are either uniform white, or have a few brown dots. The smooth dorsal scales are in 15 rows, and the anal plate is entire. Ventrals are 125-150, and subcaudals only 11-19.[4]

Diet

They are believed to feed on soft-bodied insects and earthworms.[5]

References

  1. ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov.
  2. 1 2 The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  3. Freiberg, M. 1982. Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. 189 pp. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. (Atractus trilineatus, p. 91).
  4. Boulenger, G.A. 1894. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xi + 382 pp. + Plates I-XX. (Atractus trilineatus, p. 312).
  5. Boos, Hans E.A. 2001. The Snakes of Trinidad and Tobago. College Station Texas: Texas A&M University Press. xvi + 328 pp. ISBN 1-58544-116-3. (Atractus trilineatus, p. 111 + Plate 26).

Further reading


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