REPTILES OF BELIZE

4 March 2009

Crocodiles – Order Crocodylia Last living group of Archosauria (dinosaurs) More closely related to birds than any

other living group of reptiles Reflective eyeshine 23 living species

Family Crocodylidae American Crocodile Morelet’s Crocodile

American Crocodile

Crocodylus acutus Slender, elongate

snout Well-developed

osteoderms 4-5 m

Not American Alligator ->http://mattcastille.com/me/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/gex-american-alligator.jpg.jpg

http://www.naturephoto-cz.eu/pic/sevcik/crocodylus-acutus--crocodylus-acutus-6.jpg

Morelet’s Crocodile

Crocodylus moreletii 2-3 m Some mottled with

yellow and black Most drab grey Fish-eaters

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/PTGPOD/OSGIP-00000444-001~Morelets-Crocodile-Single-Mexico-Posters.jpg

Class photo

Snakes – Order Squamata

Close evolutionary relationship with lizards Limbs absent (although some vestigal girdles) Scale over eye, no eyelid

Blind Snakes – Family Typhlopidae Thread Snakes – Family Leptotyphlopidae Boas – Family Boidae Colubrids – Family Colubridae Coral Snakes – Family Elapidae Pit Vipers – Family Vipiridae

Blind Snakes - Typhlopidae

Occur throughout tropics 9 species on mainland Americas Small (usually < 35 cm, ~13-14 in) Left lung absent Vestigial pelvis present Oviparous

Yucatan Blind Snake

Typhlops microstomus

This is the commonblind snake

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/wildlife-facts/2003/wildlife-facts_images_2003/culebrita_ciega.jpg

Thread Snakes - Leptotyphlopidae Burrowing/subterranean Vestigial left lung Small (< 14 cm, ~5.5 in) Rudimentary/vestigial eyes Curving rostral scale Short, spine-like tail

Goudot’s Thread Snake

Leptotyphlops goudotii Only seen after

heavy rains

This is the Texasthread snake

http://www.nps.gov/amis/naturescience/images/Texas-Thread-Snake.jpg

Boas - Boidae

Highly variable size Africa, Europe, Asia, N. and S. Americas Vertical pupil Vestigial pelvic girdle Subdue prey with constriction

Suffocate, not crush Viviparous (unlike pythons)

Boa constrictor

Boa constrictor Rarely exceeds 300 cm

(~10 ft) 25-30 dark dorsal

saddles Excellent climbers

http://www.snakeeducation.com/snakes/photos/Boa%20Constrictor%20Styles%20is%20his%20name%20Aug%2006.JPG

Annulated Boa

Corallus annulatus Slender Approx. 172 cm

(~5.5 ft) 45-50 dark annuli

with pink center

http://pro.corbis.com/images/IH116695.jpg?size=67&uid=%7B7B416C1B-EADC-4EE1-BDA8-4459CF7AB2F1%7D

Colubrids - Colubridae

No trace of pelvis Non-functional left lung Burrowers, tree-dwellers, aquatic or

terrestrial Mostly diurnal Mostly oviparous, some viviparous

Black Mussurana

Clelia clelia Large, robust body

(200 cm, ~6.5 ft) Shiny black

http://www.1-costaricalink.com/costa_rica_fauna/wildlife_images/mussurana.jpg

Brown Racer

Dryadophis melanolomus A.k.a. Middle American Smooth-scaled

Racer 150 cm (~5 ft)

http://www.rarimages.com/BelizeImages/Snakes/tn_Lizard-eater(Dryadophis_melanolomus)1468.jpg

Indigo Snake

Drymarchon corais 3rd largest snake

Boa constrictor Tiger treesnake

http://www.hamhunter.com/images/Indigo%20snake%20in%20hands.jpg

Speckled Racer

Drymobius margaritiferus Turquoise, orange

black 120 cm (~4 ft) Feeds on frogs

http://www.placenciabreeze.com/New_Breeze/2006_Archives/November_06/Sanke.jpg

Blunt-headed Tree Snake

Imantodes cenchoa Very slender 100 cm (~3 ft) Feeds on anoles,

lizards, etc.

http://64.17.184.245/images/Imantodescenchoa015.JPG

Green Tree Snake

Leptophis ahaetulla A.k.a. Green Parrot Snake Slender body Elongate head Feeds on tree frogs

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t038/T038941A.jpg

Green-headed Tree Snake

Leptophis mexicanus A.k.a. Bronze-backed Parrot Snake U-shaped ventral scales 120 cm (~4 ft) Feeds on frogs

http://mexico-herps.com/Tamaulipas/Leptophis-mexicanus-septentrionalis.jpg

Neotropical Vine Snake

Oxybelis aeneus Very slender Pointed snout 120 cm (~4 ft) “Lingual lure”

Photos: S. Collins

Green Vine Snake

Oxybelis fulgidus Slender, elongate body Black line through eye Feeds on birds,

anoles, rodents

http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/images/troprain/green_vine_snake.jpg

Cat-eyed Snake

Leptodiera frenata Head large Eyes with vertical pupil 20-40 blotches/saddles Feeds on frogs

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/3649941-md.jpg

Tropical Rat Snake

Spilotes pullatus Narrow head Small eyes 120 cm (~4 ft) Feeds on rodents

http://www.ryanphotographic.com/Tiger%20rat%20snake.jpg

Red Coffee Snake

Ninia sebae

Small head

Yellow collar

35 cm (~14 in)

Hood when threatened

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2773435337_5936cf11b4.jpg?v=1219050676

Neckband Snake

Scaphiodontophis annulatus “Half-coral snake” Tail comprises ~50%

of animal 90 cm (~3 ft) Banding pattern

variable ~1/3 of snake http://eligreenbaum.iss.utep.edu/

Scaphio.jpg

Tropical Kingsnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

“Tropical Milksnake”

150 cm (~5 ft)

Rings Red-black-yellow-black-red

http://pro.corbis.com/images/FN002161.jpg?size=67&uid=%7B7D48ABCA-F7F1-44BA-9F80-2744917CEEAB%7D

Coral Snakes - Elapidae

HOT Snakes Africa, Asia, Southern USA, Central America Rear-fanged Family contains

Cobras Kraits (sea snakes) Mambas

Oviparous Feed heavily on other snakes

Mayan Coral Snake

Micrurus diastema “Variable Coral Snake” 80 cm (~2.5 ft) Bands

Black-yellow-red-yellow-black Snake-eater

http://artofmanliness.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/coral-snake.jpg

Central American Coral Snake Micrurus nigrocinctus

100 cm (~3 ft)

Rings Black-yellow-red-yellow-black Yellow may be reduced or absent

Feeds mostly on small snakes and lizards

http://www.travellog.com/guatemala/ikbolay/images/06MICRU.JPG

Vipers - Viperidae

HOT Snakes Worldwide distribution All New-World vipers are “pit” vipers

Heat sensing pit between nares and eyes Able to sense small changes in thermal

environment Pelvis absent, left lung absent

Most viper bites occur from carelessness

Eyelash Pitviper

Bothriechis schlegelii Raises scales over eyes Vertical pupils Feeds on rodents,

bats, frogs 80 cm (2.5 ft)

www.kostich.com/yellow_eyelash_viper.htm A

http://www.bio.ilstu.edu/juliano/Costa%20rica%20pics%2005/PC140132%20eyelash%20viper%20yellow%202.JPG

Fer-de-lance

Bothrops asper A.k.a. Yellow lips

or Yellow beard Large head Vertical pupils Stout body 200 cm (6.5 ft)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/155232353_25f62340a6.jpg

Tropical Rattlesnake

Crotalus durissus Rattle at end of tail 170 cm (5.5 ft) New segment added to

tail at each molt May molt multiple times

per year when young

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~gambl007/BrazilPics/Crotalus_durissus_2.JPG

Jumping Viper

Atropoides nummifer Vertical pupils Stout body Blotches may form

zig-zag pattern Feeds on rodents 80 cm (2.5 ft)

http://consejo.bz/belize/images/animals/snakes/jumping_viper.jpg

Rainforest Hognosed Viper

Porthidium nasutum

Stout-bodied

Snout turned up

Vertical pupils

45 cm (1.5 ft)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2693469840_588515520a.jpg?v=0

Lizards – Order Squamata

3800 living species Bones of jaw more secure than in snakes “3rd eye” – pineal is a light sensitive disc Geckos – Family Gekkonidae Iguanas – Family Iguanidae Basilisks – Family Corytophanidae Anoles – Family Polychrotidae Spiny Lizards – Family Phrynosomatidae Skinks – Family Scincidae Whiptails – Family Teiidae

Geckos – Gekkonidae

Largest family of lizards 80 genera 700 species

Some commonly found running on walls/in houses

Eye covered with transparent scale Except Yucatan banded gecko

Yucatan Banded Gecko

Coleonyx elegans Only species with eyelid 80-90 mm Skin translucent on belly

Can see some internalorgans

Digits lack adhesive padshttp://www.tc.umn.edu/~gambl007/geckos/coleonyx_elegans2.jpg

Yellowbelly Gecko

Phyllodactylus tuberculosus “Leaf-toed gecko”

Lacking info

http://mexico-herps.com/Sauria/Phyllodactylus_tuberculatus_saxatilis_2.jpg

Dwarf Gecko

Sphaerodactylus glaucus “Spotted bark gecko” 45-55 mm Robust limbs Digits with

friction pads

http://www.uta.edu/biology/campbell/guatemala/images/Sphaerodactylus_glaucus.JPG

Central American Smooth Gecko Thecadactylus rapicaudus “Turnip-tailed gecko” Largest species of

native gecko in area 90-100 mm Thick tail, constricted

at basehttp://www.guaquira.com/images/0BIO-DIV-Images/Reptilia/Lotzkat/Thecadactylus-rapicauda-a.jpg

Tokay Gecko

Gekko gecko Invasive species! Native to Indian subcontinent

and Indonesia Second largest gecko species

30 cm Powerful jaws

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tokay_Gecko.jpg

Iguanas – Iguanidae

Southwest U.S.A. to South America Galapagos, Caribbean

Mid-dorsal spine-like scales Prominent fold of skin below chin Heavily hunted by humans as protein

source “Bamboo Chicken”

Green Iguana

Iguana igauna Largest lizard

in area Fold of skin

longitudinal Green with black

bands (juv., females)

Photos: T. Saxe

Spiny-tailed Iguana

Ctenosaura similis “Black Iguana” Fold of skin

transverse 90 cm Short, muscular

limbs Heavily muscled

jaw in maleshttp://www.naturephoto-cz.eu/pic/sevcik/ctenosaura-similis--ctenosaura-similis.jpg

Basilisks – Corytophanidae

Mexico through C. Am. to northern S. Am.

Crests, casques or helmets On back of head

Extremely long tails Diurnal

Striped Basilisk

Basiliscus vittatus Can run on hind

legs only 55-60 cm Stripes

http://www.vivanatura.org/Basiliscus_vittatus_3.jpg

Anoles - Polychrotidae

Dewlap under chin Mating and territorial displays Usually brightly colored

Usually drab brown/grey Diurnal Tree climbers

Big-headed Anole

Anolis capito/Norops capito “Long-legged Anole” 230-285 mm Relatively small dewlap Longest legs of any anole

in the area Short, chucky head

http://www.repti.net/reptile_picture/Anolis+capito_66459.jpg

Lesser Scaly Anole

Anolis uniformis/Norops uniformis “Lesser Forest Anole” Smallest anole in area 110-115 mm Large dewlap

http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/imgs/128x192/0000_0000/0406/0471.jpeg

Brown Anole

Anolis sagrei/Norops sagrei “Mayan Coastal Anole” 140-160 mm Large dewlap in males

Variable colors

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IyCkuI3OT-U/SFZ67l46yeI/AAAAAAAAAA0/MdJa83nl4ew/S692/250px-Anolis_sagrei.jpg

Silky Anole

Anolis sericeus/Norops sericeus “Blue-spot Anole” 120-140 mm Large blue spot in

center of dewlap Tiny side scales

“Silky”

http://www.fororeptiles.org/galerias/images/88/large/1_anolis_sericeus.JPG

Spiny Lizards - Phrynosomatidae Well developed limbs Back covered with sharply projecting

scales Femoral pores Diurnal Head-bob display at intruders

Yellow-spotted Spiny Lizard

Sceloporus chrysostictus “Yucatan Spiny

Lizard” 120-130 cm Body covered in

keeled scales

http://www.amazilia.net/images/Herps/Lizard/Sceloporus_chrysostictus_01.JPG

Skinks - Scincidae

Worldwide distribution in tropical and temperate habitats

Smooth, shiny cycloid scales Oviparous

Except Mabuya

Ground Skink

Sphenomorphus cherriei

http://www.wildherps.com/images/herps/standard/Sphenomorphus_cherriei.jpg

Shiny Skink

Mabuya brachypoda “Viviparous Skink” Robust, cylindrical body 160-220 mm Head covered with large,

flat, plate-like scales Central portion of eyelid with translucent

scale Can see even with eyes closed

http://www.zooinstitutes.com/Zoology/images/6621.jpg

Whiptails – Teiidae

Widespread in tropical and temperate New World habitats

Moderate size Elongate, pointed snout Well-developed limbs Diurnal

Central American Whiptail

Ameiva festiva “Festive Ameiva” 270-430 mm

Males larger Venter covered with

large rectangular scales Highly variable color

patterns

http://www.wildherps.com/images/herps/standard/017142_ameiva.jpg

Barred Whiptail

Ameiva undulata “Metallic Ameiva” 260-430 mm Venter with large,

rectangular scales Variable color pattern

http://www.mister-toad.com/photos/lizard/Ameiva_undulata_01_SIG.jpg

Cozumel Whiptail

Cnemidophorus cozumela

Lacking information Lacking image

Turtles – Order Testudines

Shell made up of vertebrae and ribs covered by scutes Carapace (upper) Plastron (lower)

Egg layers – oviparous Sex determination by temperature of incubation in

some

Family Dermatemydidae Family Emydidae Family Chelydridae Family Kinosternidae

River Turtles – Dermatemydidae Monotypic family Restricted to small area in Middle

America Known from fossil record in

Europe North America Eastern Asia

Central American River Turtle Dermatemys mawii Large, distinctive 45-50 cm Carapace flattened Snout upturned slightly Permanent water

dwellers (exceptegg-laying females)

http://www.jcvi.org/reptiles/imgs/photos/Dermatemys_mawii1.jpg

Pond and Wood Turtles - Emydidae

Widely distributed (5 continents) Largest and most diverse family Some entirely aquatic (except egg-laying

females) Others almost entirely terrestrial

Furrowed Wood Turtle

Rhinoclemmys areolata Not related to our wood turtle

(Glyptemys insculpta) Highly sculptured scutes 15 cm Red bars over eyes

http://chechem2.iquebec.com/Dia_Animaux/Reptiles/X1.JPG

Common Slider

Trachemys scripta “Mesoamerican Slider” 35 cm Wavy orange lines on

top of carapace Widespread species

USA, Central Am., South Am.

http://www.reptilesofaz.com/Graphics/Turtles-Amphibians/TRASCR-04j.jpg

Snapping Turtles - Chelydridae Only two genera

Each contains only one species Dorsally keeled carapace Reduced plastron Large heads, powerful jaws Eastern North America, Central America,

South America

Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina Same as ours Large head, powerful

serrated jaws 3 low keels on carapace Very reduced plastron

http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/huber_chri/images/chse.jpg

http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/images/stories/reptiles/turtles/Chelydra_serpentina_Snapping_turtle/Chelydra_serpentina_snapping_turtle_plastron.jpg

Mud and Musk Turtles - Kinosternidae

Reduced plastron (Musk)

Well developed plastron with 2 hinges (Mud)

Glands in inguinal region that produce a strong, foul-smelling secretion when frightened

Tabasco Mud Turtle

Kinosternon acutum Single-keeled carapace Two hinges on plastron

Completely closes Pair of chin barbels 10 cm

http://nlbif.eti.uva.nl/bis/turtles/pictures/k%20acutum%20overview.jpg

White-lipped Mud Turtle

Kinosternon leucostomum Two hinges on plastron Two pairs chin barbels 20 cm Widespread, abundant

http://www.chelonia.org/leucostomum20044426.jpg

http://www.zierschildkroete.de/fotos/kinosternon/leucostomum_1.jpg

Scorpion Mud Turtle

Kinosternon scorpioides “Red-cheeked Mud Turtle” 15 cm Males – thick tail

with hard spine Chin barbels

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/articlepics/guidetoexotics/112%20Kinosternon%20scorpioides%20albogulare%202%20-%20Tom%20C.jpg

Information from…

Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Guatemala, the Yucatan and Belize – Campbell

Travellers’ Wildlife Guides – Belize and Northern Guatemala – Beletsky