Rhachidelus

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Cladus: Craniata
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
Genus: Rhachidelus
Species:
Name

Rhachidelus

Primary references
Links

BHL bibliography
Catalogue of Life: 2020 Annual Checklist
Rhachidelus – Taxon details on Encyclopedia of Life (EOL).
Global Biodiversity Information Facility. 2019. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset. Taxon: Rhachidelus.
ION
Nomenclator Zoologicus

Rhachidelus is a genus of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to South America.

Species

The genus Rhachidelus is monotypic, containing the sole species Rhachidelus brazili,[2] which is commonly known as the Brazilian bird snake.
Etymology

The specific name, brazili, is in honor of Brazilian herpetologist Vital Brazil.[3]
Geographic range

R. brazili is found in northeastern Argentina, southern Brazil, and southeastern Paraguay.[4]
Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of R. brazili are forest and savanna.[1]
Description

R. brazili is a medium-sized species of snake. The holotype has a total length of 1.32 m (4.3 ft), including the tail which is 0.31 m (1.0 ft) in length. The dorsal scales are smooth, have distinct paired apical pits, and are arranged in 25 rows at midbody. The vertebral row is enlarged. Adults are shiny dark brown to black dorsally, and dark brown ventrally.[5] Juveniles have a red band across the back of the top of the head, including the parietal scales.[4]
Diet

The diet of R. brazili consists mainly of birds' eggs.[1][4]
Reproduction

R. brazili is oviparous.[4]
References

Arzamendia, V.; Giraudo, A.; Scott, N.; Scrocchi, G. (2019). "Rhachidelus brazili". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T177505A56039571. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T177505A56039571.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
Rhachidelus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 23 December 2016.
Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Rhachidelus brazili, p. 37).
Rhachidelus brazili at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 23 December 2016.

Boulenger GA (1908).