Stuart's burrowing snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stuart's burrowing snake |
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The Stuart's burrowing snake (Adelphicos veraepacis) is a special type of snake. It belongs to a group called colubrid snakes. This snake is found only in Guatemala, which means it is endemic there.
About Stuart's Burrowing Snake
This snake gets its name from the way it lives. It is a "burrowing" snake because it spends a lot of its time underground. It is also mainly active at night, which means it is nocturnal. During the day, it rests hidden away.
Where Does It Live?
Stuart's burrowing snake lives in the forests of Guatemala. You can find it in places with pine and oak trees, and also in cloud forests. These are forests that are often covered in mist or clouds.
It lives in several mountain ranges, including:
- The Sierra de las Minas
- The Cuilco Mountains
- The Sierra de los Cuchumatanes
- The Sierra de Xucaneb
These snakes live at high places, from about 1,200 to 2,200 meters above sea level. That's like living on top of very tall mountains!
How It Lives
Stuart's burrowing snake is a terrestrial animal, meaning it lives on the ground. It is also fossorial, which means it is good at digging and lives underground in burrows. This helps it stay safe from predators and find its food. Since it is nocturnal, it hunts for food mostly when the sun goes down.
Why Is It Threatened?
Sadly, Stuart's burrowing snake is a vulnerable species. This means its numbers are going down, and it could be in danger of disappearing. The biggest problem for these snakes is habitat loss. Their homes are being destroyed for a few reasons:
- Agriculture: Forests are being cut down to make space for farms.
- Plant Exportation: Some plants, like Chamaedaphne calyculata, are taken from their natural homes and sold. This also harms the snake's habitat.
Protecting these forests is very important to help Stuart's burrowing snake survive.
