Philodryas chamissonis

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Lepidosauromorpha
Superordo: Lepidosauria
Ordo: Squamata
Subordo: Serpentes
Infraordo: Caenophidia
Superfamilia: Colubroidea

Familia: Dipsadidae
Subfamilia: Xenodontinae
Genus: Philodryas
Species: Philodryas chamissonis
Name

Philodryas chamissonis (Wiegmann, 1835)
References
Links

Uetz, P. & Hallermann, J. 2022. Philodryas chamissonis. The Reptile Database. Accessed on 29 September 2019.
Avilés, R., Garin, C., Nunez, J., Ortiz, J.C., Sallabery, N., Tala, C., Victoriano, P. & Vidal, M. 2016. IUCN: Philodryas chamissonis (Least Concern). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T16985A69941244. DOI: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T16985A69941244.en

Vernacular names
English: Chilean Long‐tailed Snake

Philodryas chamissonis, commonly known as the Chilean green racer and the long-tailed snake, is a species of moderately venomous opisthoglyphous (rear-fanged) snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Chile.[4]

Etymology

The specific name, chamissonis, is in honor of German botanist and poet Adelbert von Chamisso.[2][5]
Geographic range

P. chamissonis has a large distribution in Chile, from Paposo to Valdivia.[1]
Description

Usually, P. chamissonis is gray, with black and white longitudinal stripes on the body. It is a medium-sized snake, which usually reaches 1.4 m (4.6 ft) in total length (including tail).[citation needed]

The length of the tail is 25-28.5 % of the total length. There are 8 upper labials, the 4th and 5th entering the eye. The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 19 rows at midbody. Ventrals 179-225; anal plate divided; subcaudals 100-122.[6]
Habitat

P. chamissonis lives in a large variety of habitats, at altitudes from sea level to 2,300 m (7,500 ft).[1]
Diet
A Philodryas chamissonis snake eating a Liolaemus tenuis lizard.

The diet of P. chamissonis is mainly composed of little rodents, birds, amphibians, and other smaller reptiles.[1] For example, it especially preys upon lizards of the genus Liolaemus.[1]
Reproduction

P. chamissonis is an oviparous reptile.[1][2]
Venom

Because P. chamissonis is rarely found, bites by it are uncommon. However, its bite is painful and causes extensive swelling.[7]
References

Avilés R, Garin C, Nunez J, Ortiz JC, Sallaberry N, Tala C, Victoriano P, Vidal M (2016). "Philodryas chamissonis ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2016: e.T16985A69941244. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T16985A69941244.en. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
Species Philodryas chamissonis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Garin CF, González-Acuña D, Sallaberry MA, Vianna JA (2011). "Genetic Divergence of Chilean long-tailed snake (Philodryas chamissonis) across latitudes: conservation threats for different lineages". Diversity and Distribution 17: 152-162.
"Philodryas chamissonis ". ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov.
Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Philodryas chamissonis, p. 51).
Boulenger GA (1894). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xi + 382 pp. + Plates I-XX. (Dromicus chamissonis, pp. 119-120).

Neira P, Jofré L, Oschilewski D, Subercaseaux B, Muñoz N (2007). "Mordedura por Philodryas chamissonis. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura (Snake bite by Philodryas chamissonis: a case presentation and literature review)". Revista chilena de infectología 24 (3): 236-241. (in Spanish).