Cubophis caymanus

Cubophis caymanus
Cubophis caymanus on a leaf.
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Cubophis
Species:
C. caymanus
Binomial name
Cubophis caymanus
(Garman, 1887)
Synonyms
List
  • Alsophis cantherigerus caymanus
    Zimin et al., 2022[2]
  • Alsophis caymanus
    Crother, 1999[3]

Cubophis caymanus, the Grand Cayman racer, is a diurnal species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Grand Cayman Island. Its length typically ranges from 500–860 mm (20–34 in). The body is grey in color, with more distinct black, red and pink scales toward the head.

Distribution and habitat

Like its name suggests, the Grand Cayman racer can be found only on Grand Cayman Island, the largest of the three Cayman Islands.[4][5][6][7]

Morphology

This species of snake is long and slim. Its length typically ranges from 500–860 mm (20–34 in).[4][8] The length of its grey body is banded with black and red or pink colors.[4][8][6] Females of C. caymanus are generally larger than males.[2] The largest Grand Cayman racer to be recorded was a female specimen that measured 1,190 mm (47 in) long and weighed 1.25 kg (2.8 lb).[4]

This species uniformly has a darkened head that includes a stripe which runs from the tip of the nostrils to the temporal scales. This species has a divided anal scale.[2] The number of ventral scales is 171-177 for males and 174-178 for females.[2]

Many individuals of this species are missing pieces of their tails, which might be a result of attacks from avian predators or interactions with land crabs.[2]

Diet and behavior

The diet of Cubophis caymanus is known to consist of the greenhouse frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris), the green iguana (Iguana iguana) and local species of anole (Anolis spp.).[2][9]

This species likely opportunistically consumes many small animals found on the island, as it is colloquially known to commonly prey on the Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis), young nestling birds, and small rats.[9][10]

C. caymanus has a weak venom used to subdue prey.[11] However, C. caymanus often uses constriction as well.[9][12] This species is both terrestrial and arboreal in nature, allowing it to pursue prey that likewise encompass both strata, such as the green iguana.[10]

Threat display

When threatened, C. caymanus will expand its throat on either side. This works to flatten and enlarge its head to appear more threatening.[6][10] In addition, these snakes may exhibit musking behaviors in their attempts to deter predators.[6] The musk of these snakes is described as having a smell similar to that of garbage or a dumpster.[6]

Reproduction

This species is known to be oviparous.[2] Clutches laid by C. caymanus may include 8-9 eggs.[2][11] Nesting lasts for about 4 months. laying begins in May, and the eggs will begin hatching from August until around the end of September.[2][11]

Threats & conservation

Not much has been officially documented regarding the threats and conservation of this species on the island. However, because the island is populated by people this species will face human threats including the presence of pets and cars.[6][2][10]

This species is currently under government protection under Part II of the Cayman Island's National Conservation Law, which entitles the population to conservation management, public awareness programming and preventative reconciliation (Including possible fines or license revocation).[6][13]

References

  1. ^ Echternacht, A. (2016). "Cubophis caymanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T190573A115326002. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Zimin, Anna; Zimin, Sean V.; Shine, Richard; Avila, Luciano; Bauer, Aaron; Böhm, Monika; Brown, Rafe; Barki, Goni; de Oliveira Caetano, Gabriel Henrique; Castro Herrera, Fernando; Chapple, David G.; Chirio, Laurent; Colli, Guarino R.; Doan, Tiffany M.; Glaw, Frank (2022). "A global analysis of viviparity in squamates highlights its prevalence in cold climates". Global Ecology and Biogeography. 31 (12): 2437–2452. doi:10.1111/geb.13598. hdl:2027.42/175223. ISSN 1466-8238.
  3. ^ Crother (1999). "Phylogenetic relationships among West Indian xenodontine snakes (Serpentes; Colubridae) with comments on the phylogeny of some mainland xenodontines". Contemporary Herpetology: 1–21.
  4. ^ a b c d Brunt, M. A. (1994). The Cayman Islands: Natural History and Biogeography. Monographiae Biologicae Ser. J. E. Davies. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. ISBN 978-94-011-0904-8.
  5. ^ Brown, A.E. (1893). "Notes on some snakes from tropical America lately living in the collection of the Zoological Society of Philadelphia". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 45: 429–435 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Reptiles & Amphibians – Cayman Islands Department of Environment". doe.ky. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
  7. ^ Species Cubophis caymanus at The Reptile Database
  8. ^ a b Brown, Arthur Edwin; Philadelphia, Academy of Natural Sciences of (1893). Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Vol. v.45 (1893). Philadelphia: Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
  9. ^ a b c Kelehear, Crystal (2016). "Cubophis caymanus (Cayman Racer). Diet". Herpetological Review. 47 (4): 680–681 – via EBSCO.
  10. ^ a b c d "Cayman Wildlife Connection". caymanwildlife.org. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  11. ^ a b c Grant, C. (1940). The Herpetology of the Cayman Islands. Kingston: Institute of Jamaica.
  12. ^ Rose-Smyth, C. (2019). "Cubophis caymanus (Grand Cayman Racer) Diet and prey-handling behavior" (PDF). Herpetological Review. 50 (2): 390–391.
  13. ^ "National Conservation Law – Cayman Islands Department of Environment". doe.ky. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
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