Catesby's snail-eater

Catesby's snail-eater (Dipsas catesbyi), also commonly known as Catesby's snail sucker,^[2] is a nocturnal species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae.^[1] The species is native to northern South America.^[1]

Catesby's snail-eater
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Dipsas
Species:	D. catesbyi
Binomial name
Dipsas catesbyi (Sentzen, 1796)[1]
Synonyms[2]
Coluber catesbeji [sic] Sentzen, 1796 Dipsas catesbyi — F. Boie, 1827 Stremmatognathus catesbyi — A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854 Leptognathus catesbyi — Günther, 1858 Leptognathus catisbyi [sic] W. Peters, 1871 Cochliophagus catesbyi — Berg, 1901 Sibynomorphus catesbeji — Barbour & Noble, 1920 Sibynomorphus catesbyi — Amaral, 1926 Sibynomorphus catesbyei [sic] Amaral, 1929 Dipsas catesbyi — J. Peters, 1956

In June 2021 upon manipulation, a snake of this species presented vocalization, a duration of 0.06 seconds, reaching 3036 Hz in its peak frequency with a modulated note, emitted through exhalation of air through the larynx, being the first record of a snake call in South America.^[3]

Etymology

The specific name, catesbyi, is in honor of English naturalist Mark Catesby.^[4]

Geographic range

D. catesbyi is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana,^[5] Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.^[6]

Habitat

D. catesbyi lives at altitudes of up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft), in mountainous regions, tropical forests, and lowlands.^[1]

Diet

D. catesbyi, like all species in the genus Dipsas, preys on arboreal land snails and slugs.^[7]

Reproduction

D. catesbyi is oviparous.^[1][6]