Drymobius

Drymobius is a genus of colubrid snakes commonly referred to as neotropical racers, which are endemic to the Americas. There are four species recognized in the genus.

Drymobius
Drymobius margaritiferus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Subfamily:	Colubrinae
Genus:	Drymobius Fitzinger, 1843
Synonyms
Coluber, Herpetodryas, Leptophis, Masticophis, Thamnophis, Zamenis[1]

Geographic range

They are found predominantly in Mexico and Central America, but they range as far north as the southern tip of Texas in the United States, and as far south as Brazil in South America.

Description

Drymobius species grow to .75–1 m (30–39 in) in total length. Their coloration and pattern vary widely among species.

Habitat

They are found in areas of heavy vegetation, almost always near a permanent water source.

Behaviour

Drymobius are diurnal species. They are fast moving, and do not generally hesitate to bite if handled.

Diet

Their primary diet consists of frogs and toads.

Reproduction

Breeding occurs in the spring, and clutches of 6-8 eggs are laid in the early summer. The eggs hatch in approximately two months. Hatchlings are 15–18 cm (6–7 in) in total length.

Species & Subspecies

• Drymobius chloroticus (Cope, 1886) - green highland racer - Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
• Drymobius margaritiferus (Schlegel, 1837) - speckled racer - United States (Texas), Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Colombia.
  • Drymobius margaritiferus margaritiferus (Schlegel, 1837) - southern Texas, Mexico
  • Drymobius margaritiferus fistulosus H.M. Smith, 1942 - Mexico
  • Drymobius margaritiferus maydis Villa, 1968 - Nicaragua
  • Drymobius margaritiferus occidentalis Bocourt, 1890 - Guatemala
• Drymobius melanotropis (Cope, 1876) - black forest racer - Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
• Drymobius rhombifer (Günther, 1860) - Esmarald racer - Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil.[2][3]

References

1. Wright, A.H., & A.A. Wright. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Comstock. Ithaca & London. 1,105 pp. (in 2 volumes) (Drymobius, pp. 206-207.)
2. The Reptile Database
3. Wikispecies

• Herps of Texas: Drymobius margaritiferus
• Genus Drymobius at The Reptile Database