Ninia sebae

Ninia sebae, commonly known as the redback coffee snake^[2] or the red coffee snake,^[3] is a species of small terrestrial snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to southeastern Mexico and Central America south to Costa Rica.^[1] Although it resembles some venomous coral snakes in color and size, it is not venomous and rarely bites humans.^[4][5]

Ninia sebae
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Ninia
Species:	N. sebae
Binomial name
Ninia sebae (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854)
Synonyms[2]
Streptophorus sebae A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854 Ninia sebae — Garman, 1884

Etymology

The specific name, sebae, is in honor of Dutch naturalist Albertus Seba.^[6]

Subspecies

Four subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.^[2]

• Ninia sebae immaculata Schmidt & Rand, 1957
• Ninia sebae morleyi Schmidt & Andrews, 1936
• Ninia sebae punctulata (Bocourt, 1883)
• Ninia sebae sebae (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854)

Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Ninia.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of N. sebae are forest and savanna, at altitudes from sea level to 2,200 m (7,200 ft).^[1]

Behavior

Coffee snakes (species in the genus Ninia) are thought to rely on concealment, flight and intimidation to avoid predation.^[3] These snakes were observed either flattening their entire bodies when alarmed,^[7] or remaining motionless in whatever position they were discovered.^[8] In a more recent study these snakes, when touched, displayed a flattened head and neck, and raised their anterior third or half.^[3]

Diet

N. sebae preys upon earthworms,^[1][2] slugs, small land snails, and caecilians.^[1]

Reproduction

N. sebae is oviparous.^[2]