Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
(E)
(F)
Plate 2.3
(E and F) Pampas snake, false viper or mock viper (
Tomodon dorsatus
), Ibiuna,
Brazil.
There are three species of
Tomodon
, one of the seven genera included in the tribe
Tachymenini. Some investigators have reported that southeastern Brazilian populations of
Tomodon dorsatus
have a strong preference for gastropod prey (e.g.veronicellid slugs; Bizerra
et al., 2005). To date, the few documented bites by these dipsadids have included only mild,
transient local effects.
For more information, see legend of Plate 2.3A-F in Chapter 2. Photos copyright to David A.
Warrell.
Plate 4.57
Sonoran lyre snake; Limacoa Nocturna de Sonora
(
Trimorphodon biscutatus
lambda
). Ranging from the southwestern USA through western Mexico to Panama, this
secretive nocturnal colubrine species feeds on lizards, small mammals and, occasionally, bats.
Devitt et al. (2008) recommended recognition of
T. b. lambda
as a full species,
T. lambda
. A
number of non-front-fanged colubroids such as
T. biscutatus
have Duvernoy's secretions that
contain post-synaptically active neurotoxins. Aside from
Malpolon monspessulanus
, to date,
these do not have any clinical significance.
Photo copyright to Robert and Ann Simpson.
