Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata Scientific name Mastigodryas bruesi | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Serpentes Rank Species | |
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Similar Mastigodryas, Mastigodryas boddaerti, Mastigodryas melanolomus, Mastigodryas bifossatus, Drymobius | ||
Barbour's tropical racer (Mastigodryas bruesi) is a species of colubrid snake found in the Caribbean.
Contents
Etymology
The specific name, bruesi, is in honor American entomologist Charles Thomas Brues, who was one of the collectors of the type specimen.
Geographic range
It is native to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada.
Description
It can reach a total length (body plus tail) of about 83 cm (33 in). It is blue-gray to brown, with lighter lateral stripes.
Behavior and diet
It is diurnal, hunting frogs and lizards.
Habitat
It can be found in xeric habitats, on the ground, and in bushes, where it sleeps at night.
Locality records
It has been recorded in the southwest corner of Saint Vincent and is widespread all over the Grenadines islands. It is also found on the southern half of Grenada, which is the farthest south it is distributed. It has been introduced to Barbados, probably around thirty years ago, where it has been incorrectly identified as Liophis perfuscus.