Coluber gracilis

Graceful racer
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Colubrinae
Genus: Coluber
Species: C. gracilis
Binomial name
Coluber gracilis
(Günther, 1862)
Synonyms[2]
  • Zamenis gracilis
    Günther, 1862
  • Tyria gracilis
    Cope, 1862
  • Coluber gracilis
    M.A. Smith, 1943
  • Argyrogena gracilis
    — Sharma, 2004
  • Platyceps gracilis
    Wallach et al., 2014

Coluber gracilis, commonly known as the graceful racer or slender racer,[2][3] is a species of snake endemic to India.[1][2]

Description

See snake scales for terms used

Snout is obtuse; rostral nearly as deep as broad, just visible from above; suture between the internasals a little shorter than that between the prefrontals; frontal slightly longer than its distance from the end of the snout, nearly as long as the occipitals; loreal nearly as deep as long; one preocular, with a small subocular below 3 two postoculars ; temporals 2+2; 9 upper labials, fifth and sixth entering the eye; 4 or 5 lower labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields; posterior chin-shields as long as or longer than the anterior, separated anteriorly by two scales. Scales smooth, in 21 rows. Ventrals ungulate laterally, 213-228; anal divided; subcaudals 118-121. Yellowish above, with a series of large round brown spots edged with black, separated by narrow interspaces; these spots become more indistinct on the posterior part of the body; a black cross-band on the snout and three angular dark brown black-edged bands on the head, the anterior between the eye, the posterior extending on to the nape; lower parts yellowish, with an irregular series of black spots on each side. Total length 33 inches; tail 10.[4]

Distribution

This species is endemic to India and has been recorded in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.[1][2]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Srinivasulu C, Srinivasulu B, Mohapatra P, Vyas R, Thakur S (2013). "Coluber gracilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2013: e.T172692A1367883. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Platyceps gracilis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 14 March 2016.
  3. "Slender Racer - Coluber gracilis ". Indian Snakes Database. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  4. Boulenger, GA (1890). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. London: Secretary of State for India in Council. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xviii + 541 pp. (Zamenis gracilis, p. 327).

References

External links


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