Philodryas chamissonis

Philodryas chamissonis
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Philodryas
Species:	P. chamissonis
Binomial name
	Philodryas chamissonis; (Wiegmann, 1834)
Synonyms
	Coronella chamissonis ; Wiegmann, 1834; Psammophis temminckii ; Schlegel, 1837; Tæniophis tantillus ; Girard, 1854; Dromicus chamissonis ; — Steindachner, 1867; Liophis luctuosa ; Philippi, 1899; Philodryas chamissonis ; — Sallaberry-Pincheira et al., 2011;

Philodryas chamissonis, commonly known as the Chilean green racer and the Chilean long-tailed snake, is a species of moderately venomous opisthoglyphous (rear-fanged) snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Chile.^[4]

Etymology

The specific name, chamissonis, is in honor of German botanist and poet Adelbert von Chamisso.^[2]^[5]

Geographic range

P. chamissonis has a large distribution in Chile, from Paposo to Valdivia.^[1]

Description

Usually, P. chamissonis is gray, with black and white longitudinal stripes on the body. It is a medium-sized snake, which usually reaches 1.4 m (4.6 ft) in total length (including tail).^{[citation needed]}

The length of the tail is 25-28.5 % of the total length. There are 8 upper labials, the 4th and 5th entering the eye. The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 19 rows at midbody. Ventrals 179-225; anal plate divided; subcaudals 100-122.^[6]

Habitat

P. chamissonis lives in a large variety of habitats, at altitudes from sea level to 2,300 m (7,500 ft).^[1]

Diet

The diet of P. chamissonis is mainly composed of little rodents, birds, amphibians, and other smaller reptiles.^[1] For example, it especially preys upon lizards of the genus Liolaemus.^[1]

Reproduction

P. chamissonis is an oviparous reptile.^[1]^[2]

Venom

Because P. chamissonis is rarely found, bites by it are uncommon. However, its bite is painful and causes extensive swelling.^[7]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Avilés R; Garin C; Nunez J; Ortiz JC; Sallaberry N; Tala C; Victoriano P; Vidal M (2016). "Philodryas chamissonis ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016. IUCN: e.T16985A69941244. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T16985A69941244.en. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c Species Philodryas chamissonis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
^ Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Garin CF, González-Acuña D, Sallaberry MA, Vianna JA (2011). "Genetic Divergence of Chilean long-tailed snake (Philodryas chamissonis) across latitudes: conservation threats for different lineages". Diversity and Distribution 17: 152-162.
^ "Philodryas chamissonis ". ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov.
^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Philodryas chamissonis, p. 51).
^ Boulenger GA (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. (Dromicus chamissonis, pp. 119-120).
^ Neira P, Jofré L, Oschilewski D, Subercaseaux B, Muñoz N (2007). "Mordedura por Philodryas chamissonis. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura (Snake bite by Philodryas chamissonis: a case presentation and literature review)". Revista chilena de infectología 24 (3): 236-241. (in Spanish).