Thursday 23 May
Leeward Island racer (Alsophis rijgersmaei)
Leeward Island racer fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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Leeward Island racer description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Colubridae |
| Genus | Alsophis (1) |
This medium-sized snake has a pointed head and pale to chocolate brown skin, fading to pale yellowish-pink or brown on the underside. Some have black markings across the body and a darker brown stripe can be seen running from the nostrils through the eyes to the neck. Juveniles have a particularly pointed tail and a dark V-shape on the head (2).
- Size
- Length: 110 cm (2)
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Related species
Leeward Island racer biology
Little is known of the biology of the Leeward Island racer. It is diurnal, hunting for small lizards, frogs and turtles during the day and lying in the sun. It is more active in the rainy season and rarely seen during the dry season (2).
TopLeeward Island racer range
Found in low numbers on St Martin and St Bartholomew Islands in the Lesser Antilles, and on Anguilla (1) (4).
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Species with a similar range
Leeward Island racer habitat
Inhabits humid rocky crevices and cracks in walls and may also be found in piles of leaves and occasionally in trees. It is rarely seen in open spaces (2).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Leeward Island racer status
The Leeward Island racer is classified as Endangered (EN A2ce, B1 + 2ce) on the IUCN Red List 2004 (1) and is listed on Appendix III of the Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (3).
Leeward Island racer threats
The Leeward Island racer population is declining and has become extinct in some areas. This is due to a combination of predation by introduced rats, cats and mongooses, the burning of vegetation for agriculture and persecution by man (2).
TopLeeward Island racer conservation
One of the rarest snakes of the Lesser Antilles, the Leeward Island racer will only survive if introduced predators are exterminated from its range (2).
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View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. |
Find out more
For further information on this species see: Breuil, M. (2002) Histoire naturelle des amphibiens et reptiles terrestres de l'archipel Guadeloupéen. Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris.
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This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
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Glossary
- Diurnal
- Active during the day.
References
-
IUCN Red List (March, 2005)
http://www.redlist.org - Breuil, M. (2002) Histoire naturelle des amphibiens et reptiles terrestres de l'archipel Guadeloupéen. Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris.
-
Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (March, 2005)
http://www.jiwlp.com/contents/bern.pdf -
Anguilla National Trust (March, 2005)
http://www.ant.ai/news.1.98.htm
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Image credit
Female Leeward Island racer in grass
© Karl Questel / Association ALSOPHIS
Karl Questel
karlquestel@gmail.com
http://alsophis-antilles.blogspot.com/
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