Leptodeira septentrionalis
Leptodeira septentrionalis
Distribution 5
Global Range: (>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)) The range extends from southern Texas through Mexico and Central America to Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and northern Peru in northwestern South America (Lee 2000; EMBL Reptile Database, http://www.reptile-database.org). Campbell (1998) recognized Leptodeira populations from southern Mexico to Costa Rica as a separate species, L. polysticta.
Habitat 6
Leptodeira annulata can be found in a multitude of environments ranging from semi-arid scrub to rain forests. Within it's Texan range, Leptodeira annulata prefers semi-arid, thorn brush habitats with ponds or streams in which to hunt breeding amphibians and their eggs. In Mexico, these snakes have been documented at elevations of up to 1,981 m.
Range elevation: 1,981 (high) m.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; rainforest ; scrub forest
Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams; temporary pools
Morphology 7
Leptodeira annulata is characterized by a head that is much wider than its neck and large eyes with vertical pupils that give the common name, cat-eyed snakes. Above, these snakes are tan, buff, pale gold, or pale orange yellow with a distinctive pattern of large to medium-sized, brown, dorsal blotches or "saddles". Body coloration and size of dorsal spots may vary geographically. The crown is dark with a "spearhead" pointed towards the rear. They feature a thin, dark line on the posterior of each eye. The ventral surface is pale orange anteriorly but becomes brighter closer to the tail. Each ventral scale has a dark border. Adults weigh an average 29.1 g and have an average length of 45.7 to 61 cm. There is little sexual dimorphism in this species, but females average slightly longer than males.
Young cat-eyed snakes resemble adults, but have much stronger coloration. Hatchlings measure 22.9 cm in length.
Leptodeira annulata belongs to a special class of snake known as Opisthoglyphous, or rear fanged snakes. The fangs of these snakes are located at the back of the jaw, so the snake has to position its prey in its jaw in order to bite it. The venom of cat-eyed snakes is of relatively low toxicity and is only enough to subdue small prey.
There are several species that may be confused with northern cat-eyed snakes. The brown-banded morphs of ground snakes have thinner heads, a less contrasting pattern, and round pupils. Differences in coloration distinguish southwestern rat snakes which have dark blotches covering the first half of their bodies, and Texas night snakes which have small dorsal spots bordered by a lateral row of smaller spots.
Average mass: 29.1 g.
Range length: 22.9 to 98.4 cm.
Average length: 45.7 to 61 cm.
Other Physical Features: heterothermic ; venomous
Sexual Dimorphism: female larger
Trophic strategy 8
The primary diets of northern cat-eyed snakes consist of frogs however, it will also consume lizards, toads, salamanders, tadpoles, small fish and mice. If the prey is small enough, the snake will swallow it whole while it is still alive. If it is a larger animal, the snake will position it to the back its jaw and will use its rear fangs to puncture the prey many times so the low-toxicity venom will seep into the wounds and eventually paralyze the prey. These snakes are often found hunting near ponds and rivers with abundant breeding amphibians. Snakes will drill their heads into the egg sack and eat the eggs one at a time.
The diet of northern cat-eyed snakes changes with the seasons. During the dry season, these snakes will start feeding primarily on lizards which remain active throughout the arid conditions. They may also hunt in small puddles where fish and frogs are trapped. Frog mating season often coincides with the rainy season, at which time snakes consume mostly amphibians and their eggs.
Animal Foods: mammals; amphibians; reptiles; fish; eggs
Primary Diet: carnivore (Eats terrestrial vertebrates)
Sources and Credits
- (c) Brian Gratwicke, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://www.flickr.com/photos/19731486@N07/4395551764
- (c) Reinaldo Aguilar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plantaspinunsulaosa/7668778958/
- (c) Andrew DuBois, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/138578145@N04/32094403476/
- (c) 2006 Shawn Mallan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=200177&one=T
- (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28884266
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31401860
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31401861
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31401866
