Oxyrhopus petolarius, commonly known as the forest flame snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America.[6] There are three recognized subspecies.
According to Savage (2011) the correct scientific name should be Oxyrhopus petolarius.[5]
O. petolarius is found in central and northern South America, including Trinidad and Tobago.[6]
The preferred natural habitats of O. petolarius are forest and savanna, at altitudes from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).[1]
Adults of O. petolarius may attain a total length of 91 cm (36 in), which includes a tail 22 cm (8.7 in) long.[3]
Coloration is variable. It usually consists of some combination of red and black rings or crossbands. In some individuals the light-colored crossbands are white instead of red on the anterior part of the body.[3]
The dorsal scales are smooth, with apical pits, and are arranged in 19 rows at midbody.[3]
O. petolarius is rear-fanged, and its venom is extremely toxic to anole lizards.[6]
O. petolarius feeds on lizards, frogs, other amphibians, tadpoles, small rodents, other small mammals, birds and their eggs, and probably other snakes.[6][7][8]
O. petolarius is oviparous.[4]
Some authorities recognize three subspecies of O. petolarius, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Oxyrhopus.
The subspecific name, sebae, is in honor of Dutch naturalist Albertus Seba.[10]
Oxyrhopus petolarius, commonly known as the forest flame snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to South America. There are three recognized subspecies.
