Coluber gracilis
| Graceful Racer | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Colubrinae |
| Genus: | Coluber |
| Species: | C. gracilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Coluber gracilis (Günther, 1862) | |
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| Synonyms | |
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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 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.
- 1 2 3 4 Platyceps gracilis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 14 March 2016.
- ↑ "Slender Racer - Coluber gracilis". Indian Snakes Database. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ↑ Boulenger, G. A. (1890). Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. London: Taylor and Francis. p. 327.
References
- Günther, A. 1862 On new species of snakes in the collection of the British Museum. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (3) 9: 124-132
- Schätti B; Wilson L D 1986 Coluber Linnaeus. Holarctic racers. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles No. 399 1986: 1-4
External links
- Image of Coluber gracilis on Flickr
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