Loxocemidae

Spitzkopf Python ( Loxocemus bicolor)

The red-tailed Python ( Loxocemus bicolor) is a Central American snake species and the only species of the monotypic family of red-tailed pythons ( Loxocemidae ).

Features

The up to 120 cm long snake has a stocky body with hardly a contrast from the neck head. The color varies from dark brown to gray-brown and has a purple sheen in the light. The belly is dark or cream. The different colors were sometimes described as two species (L. bicolor and L. sumichrasti ), this is rejected today due to the presence of both variants in the same habitat.

Two Internasal and two Präfrontalschilde are available. The small Parietalschilde are separated by the large frontal and a Occipitalschild. Lorealschilde missing. One, rarely two pre-and three to four Postokularschild surround the eye, 9 to 11 and 11 to 14 Supralabialschilde Infralabialschilde the mouth. The hull has 31 to 35 rows of smooth scales in the middle, 234-270 Ventralschilde, 39 to 52 split Subkaudalschilde and a shared anal shield.

Occurrence and life

The red-tailed python is on the Mexican Pacific coast in front to the north of Costa Rica and is found at altitudes from 0 to 600 meters. The species inhabits wet and dry forests, where it burrows in leaves and loose soil. When prey are small mammals and small birds. The red-tailed python lays eggs.

Systematic position

The systematic position of the red-tailed pythons has long been controversial. Because of different morphological features, he was both the former taxon boas ( Boidae ), the Pythons ( Pythonidae ) as assigned to the Erdschlangen ( Xenopeltidae ). Today, the red-tailed python is placed in its own family. Molecular studies have shown that the red-tailed python is actually used relatively close to the Pythons and Erdschlangen, while the relationship with the Boidae is not so close, as was expected by the morphological similarity. Accordingly, the red-tailed pythons are found in the meantime, along with the Erdschlangen and pythons in a separate superfamily Pythonoidea. This is still not assured in conclusion.

Protection status

The red-tailed python is listed in CITES Appendix II in. This means that the controller must be approved the import and export of animals. In addition, animals that are privately attitude, to the competent authority (municipality and local nature conservation authority ) must be logged.

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