Agkistrodon bilineatus taylori

Agkistrodon bilineatus taylori
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Crotalinae
Genus: Agkistrodon
Species: A. bilineatus
Subspecies: A. b. taylori
Trinomial name
Agkistrodon bilineatus taylori
Burger & Robertson, 1951
Synonyms
Common names: Taylor's cantil,[2] ornate cantil.

Agkistrodon bilineatus taylori is a venomous pitviper subspecies[3] found only in northeastern Mexico. It is named in honor of American herpetologist, Edward Harrison Taylor.

Description

A. b. taylori, juvenile.

Adults usually attain a length of 64–90 cm (25 1⁄4–35 3⁄8 in), with some growing to 96 cm (37 3⁄4 in). The subspecies has a heavy body and a relatively long tail: 16-19% of total body length in males and 13-18% in females.[4]

Geographic range

This snake is native to Mexico, where it occurs in the northeastern states of Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosí and Tamaulipas.[2] The type locality is "21 km north of Villagrán, Tamaulipas, Mexico."[1]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[5] Species are listed as such due to their wide distribution, presumed large population, or because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. The population trend is unknown. Year assessed: 2007.[6]

Feeding

This snake feeds primarily on rodents and amphibians. Juveniles are known to employ the yellowish tip of their tail as a lure to attract small insectivorous vertebrates. The yellowish tip fades as the animals mature, as does this behavior.

Taxonomy

This subspecies was elevated to species status by Parkinson, Zamudio and Greene (2000) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences.

Captivity

Because of their attractive coloration and relatively small size, they are somewhat popular in the exotic pet trade, with captive bred individuals occasionally being available. The care requirements are fairly basic, similar to A. contortrix. These snakes are, however, not for the inexperienced keeper. The venom is significantly stronger than that of A. contortrix and can cause severe tissue damage and even death if untreated. Dry bites are seldom reported, and these snakes may strike repeatedly.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. 1 2 Gloyd HK, Conant R. 1990. Snakes of the Agkistrodon Complex: A Monographic Review. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 614 pp. 52 plates. LCCN 89-50342. ISBN 0-916984-20-6.
  3. ↑ "Agkistrodon bilineatus taylori". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2 November 2006.
  4. ↑ Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
  5. ↑ Lavin, P., Mendoza-Quijano, F. & Hammerson, G.A. 2007. Agkistrodon taylori. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. Downloaded on 13 April 2015.
  6. ↑ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 14 September 2007.

Further reading

  • Parkinson CL, Zamudio KR, Greene HW. 2000. Phylogeography of the pitviper clade Agkistrodon: historical ecology, species status, and conservation of the cantils. Mol. Ecol. 9:411-420.

External links

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