Clelia clelia
Clelia clelia, commonly known as the mussurana, black mussurana or windward cribo, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to the New World.
Etymology
The subspecific name, groomei, is in honor of Grenadian zoologist John R. Groome.Common names
Clelia clelia is called doi or duma in the Kwaza language of Rondônia, Brazil.Geographic range
Clelia clelia is found in Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles.Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of Clelia clelia is forest at altitudes from sea level to.Description
Clelia clelia is a large snake. Adults may attain a snout-to-vent length of. Dorsally, adults are uniform black, gray, or olive-gray. Ventrally, adults are yellowish white. Juveniles are pale brown or red, with a black head and a yellow collar.Behavior
Clelia clelia is terrestrial. It is primarily nocturnal, but it is also sometimes diurnal.Diet
Clelia clelia preys almost exclusively on snakes, especially venomous snakes of the genera Bothriechis, Bothrops, Crotalus, Lachesis, Micrurus, and Porthidium.Despite being primarily ophiophagous, Clelia clelia also includes the following prey items in its diet: lizards, snake eggs, opossums, rodents, birds, small mammals, and snails.
Reproduction
Clelia clelia is oviparous.Subspecies
Clelia clelia has two subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies, which are recognized as being valid.- Clelia clelia clelia
- Clelia clelia groomei