Philodryas olfersii | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Dipsadidae |
Genus: | Philodryas |
Species: | P. olfersii |
Binomial name | |
Philodryas olfersii (Lichtenstein, 1823) |
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Synonyms | |
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Philodryas olfersii is a species of colubrid snake, endemic to South America, known by the common names Lichtenstein's green racer,South American green racer, and eastern green whiptail, and in Brazil, cobra-cipó, cobra de São João,cobra-facão, cobra-verde, and mboi-obi.
The specific name, olfersii, is in honor of German naturalist Ignaz von Olfers.
It is native to southern South America, including Bolivia, northwestern Paraguay, northern Argentina.
P. olfersii reaches 1 to 1.5 meters (about 40 to 60 inches) in maximum total length.
Dorsally, it is green in color; ventrally, it is yellowish.
The dorsal scales are smooth, without apical pits, and are arranged in 19 rows at midbody.
It can be found in many habitat types, including the Cerrado, Caatinga, forests, forest transition, and restinga.
This species is often arboreal, but it also forages on the ground. It is diurnal, though it has been observed mating late in the evening.
Prey items include rodents, lizards, amphibians, and birds, especially nestlings. They will also eat other snakes, including ones almost as large as themselves.