Tropidophis melanurus

Tropidophis melanurus, commonly known as the dusky dwarf boa,^[3] Cuban wood snake, or Cuban giant dwarf boa, is a nonvenomous dwarf boa species endemic to Cuba. There are three subspecies that are recognized as being valid, including the nominate subspecies described here.^[3]

Tropidophis melanurus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Tropidophiidae
Genus:	Tropidophis
Species:	T. melanurus
Binomial name
Tropidophis melanurus (Schlegel, 1837)
Synonyms[2]
Boa melanura Schlegel, 1837 Tropidophis melanurus — Bibron In de la Sagra, 1840 Notophis bicarinatus Hallowell, 1856 Ungalia melanura — Cope, 1868 Ungalia melanura — Boulenger, 1893 Tropidophis melanurus melanurus — Schwartz & Thomas, 1960

Description

Adults of T. melanurus grow to an average of 32 to 39 inches (81 to 99 cm) in total length (including tail).^[4]

Geographic range

T. melanurus is found in Cuba, as well as on some nearby islands, including Cayos de San Felipe (Cayo Real), and Isla de la Juventud. The type locality given is "l'île de Cuba."^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of T. melanurus is forest.^[1]

Diet

T. melanurus preys upon amphibians (frogs), reptiles (lizards), birds, and mammals (rodents).^[1]

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of T. melanurus is unclear: it has been described as oviparous,^[1] and as ovoviviparous.^[5]

Subspecies

Subspecies[3]	Taxon author[3]	Common name	Geographic range
Tropidophis melanurus dysodes	Schwartz & Thomas, 1960		Type locality: "one km N. of La Coloma, Pinar del Río Province, Cuba.
Tropidophis melanurus ericksoni	Schwartz & Thomas, 1960		Type locality: "Bibijagua, Isla de Piños, Habana Province, Cuba."
Tropidophis melanurus melanurus	(Schlegel, 1837)		Type locality: "l'île de Cuba."

Etymology

The subspecific name, ericksoni, is in honor of Edwin B. Erickson who assisted Schwartz in fieldwork in 1957.^[6]