Borikenophis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Borikenophis |
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| Borikenophis portoricensis | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Subfamily: | Dipsadinae |
| Genus: | Borikenophis Hedges & Vidal, 2009 |
| Species | |
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4, see text |
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| Synonyms | |
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Alsophis |
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Borikenophis is a group of snakes, also known as a genus, found only in the Puerto Rican archipelago and the Virgin Islands. These snakes belong to the family Colubridae, which is a very large group of snakes found all over the world.
Contents
What Does Borikenophis Mean?
The name Borikenophis has a special meaning. It comes from two parts. The first part, Borikén, is the original Taíno word for Puerto Rico. The Taíno people were the native inhabitants of the Caribbean.
The second part, ophis, is an ancient Greek word that means "snake". So, Borikenophis literally means "Puerto Rican snake". This name helps us remember where these unique snakes live.
Types of Borikenophis Snakes
There are four known types, or species, of Borikenophis snakes. Each one lives in a specific area within the Puerto Rican archipelago and the Virgin Islands. They are often called "racers" because they can move quite fast.
The Puerto Rican Racer (Borikenophis portoricensis)
The Borikenophis portoricensis is known as the Puerto Rican racer. This snake can be found in both Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It is one of the more common types of Borikenophis.
The Puerto Rican Racer (Borikenophis prymnus)
Another type of Puerto Rican racer is Borikenophis prymnus. This species is found only on the island of Puerto Rico. It is important to protect its natural home.
The St. Croix Racer (Borikenophis sanctaecrucis)
The Borikenophis sanctaecrucis is called the St. Croix racer. It used to live on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sadly, this snake might now be extinct, meaning there are no more left in the world.
The Mona Racer (Borikenophis variegatus)
The Borikenophis variegatus is known as the Mona racer. This snake lives only on Mona Island, which is a small island located between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Its limited habitat makes it very special.
Images for kids
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A Borikenophis portoricensis snake.
See also
In Spanish: Borikenophis para niños
