Forest_sharp-tailed_snake

Forest sharp-tailed snake

Forest sharp-tailed snake

Species of snake

The forest sharp-tailed snake (Contia longicaudae) is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the western coast of the United States.[4]

Quick Facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...

Geographic range

C. longicaudae is found in northern California and southern Oregon.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The forest sharp-tailed snake is not as widespread as its relative Contia tenuis (the sharp-tailed snake). The forest sharp-tailed snake is found in shaded wet forests along the western coast of the United States. The forest sharp tailed snake went unnoticed for a long time due to its vast similarities to Contia tenuis and because of the secretive nature of both species of sharp-tailed snakes, and also of their seasonally limited amount of activity.[3]

Identification

The easiest way to set the two species apart is by looking at the tail length and the subcaudal scales. The forest sharp-tailed snake has a longer tail than Contia tenuis and more subcaudal scales. Specifically, the forest sharp-tailed snake has 43 to 58 subcaudal scales, whereas Contia tenuis has 24 to 42.[4]

References

  1. [1]
    Hammerson, G.A. (2019). "Contia longicaudae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T90066834A90066849. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. [2]
    "Contia longicaudae". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  3. [3]
    Feldman CR, Hoyer RF (2010). "A new species of snake in the genus Contia (Squamata: Colubridae) from California and Oregon". Copeia. 2010 (2): 254–267. doi:10.1643/CH-09-129. S2CID 44218937.
  4. [4]
    Contia longicaudae at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 21 May 2013.


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