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Stenorrhina degenhardtii facts for kids

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Stenorrhina degenhardtii
Stenorrhina degenhardtii 48327512.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Synonyms
  • Calamaria degenhardtii
    Berthold 1846
  • Stenorhina ventralis
    A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854
  • Stenorhina kennicottiana
    Cope, 1860
  • Stenorrhina degenhardtii
    — Cope, 1876

The Stenorrhina degenhardtii, also known as Degenhardt's scorpion-eating snake, is a type of snake. It belongs to the family called Colubridae. This snake lives in southeastern Mexico, Central America, and northwestern South America. There are three known types, or subspecies, of this snake.

Where Did Its Name Come From?

The snake's scientific name, degenhardtii, honors a German person named Degenhardt. He collected different kinds of amphibians and reptiles in northern South America in the 1840s.

Where Does This Snake Live?

You can find S. degenhardtii in several places. In Mexico, it lives in the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. In Central America, it is found in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. In South America, it lives in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Where Does the Snake Like to Live?

This snake prefers to live in forests and savannas. These are its natural habitats. It can be found from sea level up to about 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) high. Sometimes, it is also seen in farm areas.

How Big Is This Snake?

The Degenhardt's scorpion-eating snake is a medium-sized snake. It can grow to a total length of about 65 centimeters (26 inches). This measurement includes both its body and its tail.

How Does This Snake Behave?

S. degenhardtii is active during the day. This means it is diurnal. It also lives on the ground, which means it is terrestrial.

What Does This Snake Eat?

This snake mostly eats scorpions and spiders. It also enjoys eating crickets, grasshoppers, and insect larvae. It is a predator that hunts these creatures.

Life Cycle: Laying Eggs

The Degenhardt's scorpion-eating snake lays eggs. This means it is oviparous. When it lays eggs, it usually lays between 11 and 12 eggs at one time. This group of eggs is called a clutch.

Different Kinds of Degenhardt's Scorpion-Eating Snake

There are three different types, or subspecies, of this snake that scientists recognize. One of them is the main type, called the nominotypical subspecies.

  • Stenorrhina degenhardtii degenhardtii (Berthold, 1846)
  • Stenorrhina degenhardtii mexicana (Steindachner, 1867)
  • Stenorrhina degenhardtii ocellata Jan & Sordelli, 1876
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