Saint Croix racer facts for kids
The Saint Croix racer (Borikenophis sanctaecrucis) is a type of snake that might be extinct. It belongs to the Colubridae family. This snake was only found on the island of Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands.
Quick facts for kids Saint Croix racer |
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What's in a Name?
The scientific name, sanctaecrucis, comes from the island of Saint Croix. This is where the first snake of its kind, called the holotype, was found.
Snake Description
The Saint Croix racer could grow quite long. It might reach about 102.5 centimeters (about 40 inches) from its snout to its tail vent. Its back scales are smooth. They are arranged in 17 rows around the middle of its body.
The very first snake found was about 50 inches (127 cm) long. Its tail made up about 17 inches (43 cm) of that length. This snake lays eggs, which means it is oviparous.
Where it Lived: Habitat
This snake preferred to live in dry forests. These types of forests are called xeric forests. They do not get a lot of rain.
Why it's Disappearing: Conservation
People are worried that the Saint Croix racer is extinct. It has not been seen for over 100 years. The last time it was recorded was when the very first one was collected.
Saint Croix is an island with many people living on it. The Saint Croix racer is also a fairly large snake. If it is extinct, there are two main reasons why.
One reason is that mongooses were brought to the island. These animals hunt and eat snakes. Another reason is that its forest home was cut down. This is called deforestation.
However, there is still hope. Other reptiles in the Caribbean were also thought to be extinct. But they have been found again recently. This makes scientists hope that a small group of Saint Croix racers might still be alive. This group would likely be fewer than 50 snakes. They might be hiding somewhere on Saint Croix.
