Gyalopion canum: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
Free image |
Pvmoutside (talk | contribs) |
||
| (42 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Species of snake}} |
|||
{{Taxobox |
|||
{{Italic title}} |
|||
| name = Western hooknose snake |
|||
{{Speciesbox |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| status = LC |
| status = LC |
||
| status_system = |
| status_system = IUCN3.1 |
||
| |
| genus = Gyalopion |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
| classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]] |
|||
| range_map = Gyalopion canum distribution.png |
|||
| ordo = [[Squamata]] |
|||
| synonyms = *''Gyalopion canum'' <br/>{{small|Cope, 1860}} |
|||
| subordo = [[Serpentes]] |
|||
*''Ficimia cana'' <br/>{{small|— [[Samuel Garman|Garman]], 1883}}<ref>[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger GA]] (1894). ''Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ''. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xi + 382 pp. + Plates I-XX. (''Ficimia cana'', p. 272).</ref> |
|||
| familia = [[Colubridae]] |
|||
*''Gyalopion canum'' <br/>{{small|— [[Robert C. Stebbins|Stebbins]], 1985}}<ref>"''Gyalopion canum'' ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.</ref> |
|||
| subfamilia = [[Colubrinae]] |
|||
| genus = ''[[Gyalopion]]'' |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| synonyms = ''Ficimia cana'' - <small>[[Samuel Garman|Garman]], 1883</small> |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
'''''Gyalopion canum''''', commonly known as the '''Western hooknose snake''', is a [[species]] of small [[colubrid]] [[snake]] [[Endemism|endemic]] to the deserts of the [[United States]] and [[Mexico]]. It is sometimes referred to as the '''Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake''' because it is commonly found in the [[Chihuahuan Desert]]. |
|||
== |
==Taxonomy== |
||
The Western hooknose snake was originally described as a species new to science in 1860 by [[Edward Drinker Cope]], who at that time named it ''Gyalopion canum''. However, in 1883 [[Samuel Garman]] reassigned this species to the [[genus]] ''[[Ficimia]]'', changing its [[Binomial nomenclature|scientific name]] to ''Ficimia cana''. (Because ''Gyalopion'' is neuter, and ''Ficimia'' is feminine, the ending of the [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]] had to be changed from "''-um'' " to "''-a'' "). After slightly more than 100 years, [[Robert C. Stebbins]] in 1985 returned this species to the genus ''Gyalopion'', as ''Gyalopion canum'', due to distinct [[comparative anatomy|morphological]] characteristics. |
|||
| ⚫ | The Western hooknose snake is a small species, growing to |
||
== |
==Geographic range== |
||
''G. canum'' is found in the United States, from western [[Texas]] to southeastern [[Arizona]], and into northern and central Mexico. |
|||
Hooknose snakes are [[nocturnal animal|nocturnal]] burrowers, most often found under rocks. They prefer slightly sandy habitats, near a permanent water source. Their [[diet (nutrition)|diet]] consists primarily of [[spider]]s and [[centipede]]s. They are [[oviparous]]. |
|||
==Description== |
|||
| ⚫ | One of |
||
| ⚫ | The Western hooknose snake is a small species, growing to {{convert|36.5|cm|in|frac=8|abbr=on}} in total length (including tail). It is gray or grayish brown in color, with 25-48 dark brown or black blotches down the back,<ref>[[Hobart Muir Smith|Smith HM]], Brodie ED Jr (1982). ''Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification''. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. {{ISBN|0-307-13666-3}} (paperback). (''Gyalopion canum'', pp. 174-175).</ref> and a cream-colored underside. It has a slightly upturned snout, to which the common name, "hooknose", refers. |
||
The smooth [[dorsal scales]] are arranged in 17 rows at midbody.<ref name="Stbns2003"/> |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
==Behavior== |
|||
''G. canum'' is a [[nocturnal animal|nocturnal]] burrower, most often found under rocks. |
|||
==Habitat== |
|||
The Western hooknose snake prefers slightly sandy habitats, near a permanent water source. |
|||
==Diet== |
|||
The [[diet (nutrition)|diet]] of ''G. canum'' consists primarily of [[spider]]s and [[centipede]]s, but it will also eat small snakes and [[scorpion]]s.<ref name="Stbns2003">[[Robert C. Stebbins|Stebbins RC]] (2003). ''A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Third Edition''. The Peterson Field Guide Series ®. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin. 533 pp. {{ISBN|0-395-98272-3}} (paperback). (''Gyalopion canum'', p. 396 + Plate 47 + Map 174).</ref> |
|||
==Reproduction== |
|||
The Western hooknose snake is [[oviparous]]. Sexually mature females may lay up to 5 [[Egg (biology)|eggs]] in June.<ref name="Stbns2003"/> |
|||
==Defense== |
|||
| ⚫ | One of the primary defensive behaviors of ''G. canum'' is to make a popping noise with its [[cloaca]], i.e., [[farting]]. According to an article in the August, 2000 issue of [[Discover magazine]], during a laboratory experiment carried out by Bruce Young, a [[morphologist]] at [[Lafayette College]], the snakes only farted when they felt threatened, and some farted so energetically that they lifted themselves off the ground.<ref>Glausiuz J (August 2000). "A Pop a Day Keeps the Predators Away". ''Discover''. http://discovermagazine.com/2000/aug/breakpop</ref> |
||
| ⚫ | |||
''Gyalopion canum'' is quick in short bursts or spurts. |
''Gyalopion canum'' is quick in short bursts or spurts. |
||
== |
==References== |
||
{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
||
==Further reading== |
|||
*[[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant R]] (1975). ''A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America''. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. xviii + 429 pp. + Plates 1-48. {{ISBN|0-395-19979-4}} (hardcover), {{ISBN|0-395-19977-8}} (paperback). (''Gyalopion canum'', p. 217 + Plate 33 + Map 161). |
|||
*[[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope ED]] (1860). "Catalogue of the Colubridæ in the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, with notes and descriptions of new species, Part 2". ''Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia'' '''12''': 241–266. (''Gyalopion canum'', new species, p. 243). |
|||
*[[Karl Patterson Schmidt|Schmidt KP]], Davis DD (1941). ''Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada''. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 365 pp. (''Ficimia cana'', pp. 202–203, Figure 65). |
|||
*[[Albert Hazen Wright|Wright AH]], Wright AA (1957). ''Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada''. Ithaca and London: Comstock Publishing Assosciates, a division of Cornell University Press. 1,105 pp. (in 2 volumes). (''Gyalopion canum'', pp. 282–287, Figure 87, Map 26). |
|||
==External links== |
|||
*{{EMBL species|genus=Gyalopion|species=canum}} |
*{{EMBL species|genus=Gyalopion|species=canum}} |
||
*[http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/snakes/gyalopion.canum.html Herps of Texas: ''Gyalopion canum''] |
*[http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/snakes/gyalopion.canum.html Herps of Texas: ''Gyalopion canum''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000829055149/http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/snakes/gyalopion.canum.html |date=2000-08-29 }} |
||
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3022893}} |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Fauna of Northeastern Mexico]] |
|||
[[ |
[[Category:Gyalopion]] |
||
| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Reptiles of the United States]] |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1860]] |
|||
[[Category:Taxa named by Edward Drinker Cope]] |
|||
Latest revision as of 19:43, 19 May 2023
| Gyalopion canum | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Gyalopion |
| Species: | G. canum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Gyalopion canum Cope, 1860
| |
| |
| Synonyms | |
Gyalopion canum, commonly known as the Western hooknose snake, is a species of small colubrid snake endemic to the deserts of the United States and Mexico. It is sometimes referred to as the Chihuahuan hook-nosed snake because it is commonly found in the Chihuahuan Desert.
Taxonomy
[edit]The Western hooknose snake was originally described as a species new to science in 1860 by Edward Drinker Cope, who at that time named it Gyalopion canum. However, in 1883 Samuel Garman reassigned this species to the genus Ficimia, changing its scientific name to Ficimia cana. (Because Gyalopion is neuter, and Ficimia is feminine, the ending of the specific name had to be changed from "-um " to "-a "). After slightly more than 100 years, Robert C. Stebbins in 1985 returned this species to the genus Gyalopion, as Gyalopion canum, due to distinct morphological characteristics.
Geographic range
[edit]G. canum is found in the United States, from western Texas to southeastern Arizona, and into northern and central Mexico.
Description
[edit]The Western hooknose snake is a small species, growing to 36.5 cm (14+3⁄8 in) in total length (including tail). It is gray or grayish brown in color, with 25-48 dark brown or black blotches down the back,[3] and a cream-colored underside. It has a slightly upturned snout, to which the common name, "hooknose", refers.
The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows at midbody.[4]
Behavior
[edit]G. canum is a nocturnal burrower, most often found under rocks.
Habitat
[edit]The Western hooknose snake prefers slightly sandy habitats, near a permanent water source.
Diet
[edit]The diet of G. canum consists primarily of spiders and centipedes, but it will also eat small snakes and scorpions.[4]
Reproduction
[edit]The Western hooknose snake is oviparous. Sexually mature females may lay up to 5 eggs in June.[4]
Defense
[edit]One of the primary defensive behaviors of G. canum is to make a popping noise with its cloaca, i.e., farting. According to an article in the August, 2000 issue of Discover magazine, during a laboratory experiment carried out by Bruce Young, a morphologist at Lafayette College, the snakes only farted when they felt threatened, and some farted so energetically that they lifted themselves off the ground.[5]
Speed
[edit]Gyalopion canum is quick in short bursts or spurts.
References
[edit]- ^ Boulenger GA (1894). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xi + 382 pp. + Plates I-XX. (Ficimia cana, p. 272).
- ^ "Gyalopion canum ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ Smith HM, Brodie ED Jr (1982). Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. ISBN 0-307-13666-3 (paperback). (Gyalopion canum, pp. 174-175).
- ^ a b c Stebbins RC (2003). A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Third Edition. The Peterson Field Guide Series ®. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin. 533 pp. ISBN 0-395-98272-3 (paperback). (Gyalopion canum, p. 396 + Plate 47 + Map 174).
- ^ Glausiuz J (August 2000). "A Pop a Day Keeps the Predators Away". Discover. http://discovermagazine.com/2000/aug/breakpop
Further reading
[edit]- Conant R (1975). A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. xviii + 429 pp. + Plates 1-48. ISBN 0-395-19979-4 (hardcover), ISBN 0-395-19977-8 (paperback). (Gyalopion canum, p. 217 + Plate 33 + Map 161).
- Cope ED (1860). "Catalogue of the Colubridæ in the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, with notes and descriptions of new species, Part 2". Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 12: 241–266. (Gyalopion canum, new species, p. 243).
- Schmidt KP, Davis DD (1941). Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 365 pp. (Ficimia cana, pp. 202–203, Figure 65).
- Wright AH, Wright AA (1957). Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Ithaca and London: Comstock Publishing Assosciates, a division of Cornell University Press. 1,105 pp. (in 2 volumes). (Gyalopion canum, pp. 282–287, Figure 87, Map 26).
External links
[edit]- Species Gyalopion canum at The Reptile Database
- Herps of Texas: Gyalopion canum Archived 2000-08-29 at the Wayback Machine