Loxocemus

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Loxocemidae
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Loxocemus

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Loxocemidae
Cope, 1861
Genus: Loxocemus
Cope, 1861
Species:
L. bicolor
Binomial name
Loxocemus bicolor
Cope, 1861
Synonyms
  • Loxocemi - Cope, 1861
  • Loxocemina - Boulenger, 1879
  • Loxoceminae - Romer, 1956
  • Loxocemidae - McDowell, 1975[3]

  • Loxocemus - Cope, 1861
  • Plastoseryx - Jan, 1862[3]

  • L[oxocemus]. bicolor - Cope, 1861
  • Plastoseryx Bronni - Jan, 1862
  • Loxocemus Sumichrasti - Bocourt, 1876
  • Loxocemus Sumichrasti - Bocourt, 1876
  • Loxocemus bicolor - Boulenger, 1896
  • Loxocemus bicolor bicolor - Woodbury & Woodbury, 1944
  • Loxocemus bicolor sumichrasti - Woodbury & Woodbury, 1944[3]

Loxocemus bicolor,

monotypic family Loxocemidae[5] and commonly known as the Mexican python,[5] Mexican burrowing python[6] and Mexican burrowing snake, is a species of python-like snake found in Mexico and Central America. No subspecies are currently recognized.[7] Analyses of DNA show that Loxocemus is most closely related to the true pythons and the sunbeam snakes.[8][9]

Description

Adults grow to a maximum of 1.57 m (62 in) in length.[10] On average this snake grows to roughly 91 cm (2.99 ft). The body is stout and very muscular. The snout is shovel-shaped, with a narrow head and small eyes to facilitate burrowing. It has been observed that both male and females have various scent glands on their bodies that secrete fatty acids and alcohols to deter nuisance arthropods, such as ants or other burrowing insects.[11] The species is described as terrestrial and semi-fossorial,[10] which makes them hard to observe and study. The color pattern is usually dark with patches of white scales, although occasionally after shedding all pigment will disappear, resulting in a white snake with only a small dark patch on its head. Scale coloring can also vary between pinkish-brown and reddish-brown, a source of camouflage depending on the soil type of the region an individual typically inhabits.

Distribution and habitat

It is found along the

type locality given is "La Unión, San Salvador" (in El Salvador).[3]

Life cycle

They are found in a variety of

oviparous, laying small clutches of two to four eggs.[10] In order to consume eggs, individuals have been observed to wrap two to three loops of its anterior trunk to pressurize and pierce an egg before swallowing the yolk whole.[12]

References

  1. . Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Appendices I, II and III". CITES. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023. Note: Protected as a member of the Loxocemidae.
  3. ^ (volume).
  4. ^ "Loxocemus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
  5. ^ a b "Loxocemidae". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
  6. ^ Species Loxocemus bicolor at The Reptile Database. Accessed 17 August 2007.
  7. ^ "Loxocemus bicolor". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
  8. PMID 24315866. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  9. .
  10. ^ a b c Loxocemidae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 3 November 2008.
  11. ISSN 1865-7125
    .
  12. ^ .

Further reading

External links