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