- Source: Dipsas lavillai
Dipsas lavillai, also known commonly as the neotropical tree snake and dormideira in Brazilian Portuguese, is a species of non-venomous snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to central South America.
Etymology
The specific name, lavillai, is in honor of Argentinian herpetologist Esteban Orlando Lavilla.
Geographic range
D. lavillai is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of D. lavillai is forest, at altitudes of 2,800–4,100 m (9,200–13,500 ft).
Description
The head of D. lavillai is only slightly distinct from the neck. The eye is not visible from below. The body is cylindrical to subcylindrical in cross-section. The dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows throughout the length of the body. The anal plate is entire (undivided). The subcaudals are paired (divided).
Behavior
D. lavillai is arboreal.
Diet
D. lavillai preys predominately on molluscs (slugs and snails).
Reproduction
D. lavillai is oviparous.
References
Further reading
Arteaga A, Salazar-Valenzuela D, Mebert K, Peñafiel N, Aguiar G, Sánchez-Nivicela JC, Pyron RA, Colston TJ, Cisneros-Heredia DF, Yánez-Muñoz MH, Venegas PJ, Guayasamin JM, Torres-Carvajal O (2018). "Systematics of South American snail-eating snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadini), with the description of five new species from Ecuador and Peru". Zookeys 766: 79–147. (Dipsas lavillai, new combination).
Leynaud GC, Bucher EH (1999). "La fauna de serpientes del Chaco Sudamericano: diversidad, distribución geográfica y estado de conservación ". Academia Nacional di Ciencias Miscelanea (98): 1–46. (Sibynomorphus lavillai, p. 34). (in Spanish).
Scrocchi G, Porto M, Rey L (1993). "Descripción de una especie nueva y situación del género Sibynomorphus (Serpentes: Colubridae) en la Argentina ". Revista Brasileira de Biologia 53 (2): 197–208. (Sibynomorphus lavillai, new species). (in Spanish).