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Chilean Green Racer
Philodryas chamissonis
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.
From the article Philodryas chamissonis on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), quoted section by section
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). 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.
Range & habitat
P. chamissonis lives in a large variety of habitats, at altitudes from sea level to 2,300 m (7,500 ft).
Wikipedia: “Habitat”
What it does
The diet of P. chamissonis is mainly composed of little rodents, birds, amphibians, and other smaller reptiles. For example, it especially preys upon lizards of the genus Liolaemus.
Wikipedia: “Diet”
Toxicity
Because P. chamissonis is rarely found, bites by it are uncommon. However, its bite is painful and causes extensive swelling.
Wikipedia: “Venom”
In human culture
The specific name, chamissonis, is in honor of German botanist and poet Adelbert von Chamisso.
Wikipedia: “Etymology”
Where it lives
Recorded sightings
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geo-referenced records in GBIF, from museums, herbaria and field observers.
Drag the globe to turn it. Dots are where records exist, not a range map; darker means more records.
In the stacks
Searching the stacks…
Every page naming Philodryas chamissonis in the Biodiversity Heritage Library →
This page is assembled live from iNaturalist, GBIF, Wikipedia, the Source Library and the Internet Archive. It is not yet part of the hand-edited codex. iNaturalist taxon 29112.