Atractus alphonsehogei


Atractus alphonsehogei, also known commonly as Alphonse's ground snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Brazil.

Etymology

The specific name, alphonsehogei, is in honor of Brazilian-born Belgian herpetologist Alphonse Richard Hoge.

Geographic range

Atractus alphonsehogei is found in northern Brazil, in the Brazilian states of Amazonas, Maranhão, Pará, and Roraima.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Atractus alphonsehogei is forest.

Description

Atractus alphonsehogei may attain a snout-to-vent length of about in females, and about in males. Dorsally, it is brown to grayish black, with a cream-colored incomplete occipital collar. Ventrally, it is cream-colored, with a dark line running down each side of the belly, near the ends of the ventrals. Each smooth dorsal scale has one, or rarely two, apical pits. The dorsal scales are arranged in 17 rows throughout the whole length of the body. Mature males have tubercles in the cloacal region.

Behavior

Atractus alphonsehogei is terrestrial and fossorial.

Diet

Atractus alphonsehogei preys predominately upon earthworms.

Reproduction

Atractus alphonsehogei is oviparous.