Tropidophis, common name wood snakes or West Indian wood snakes,[2] is a genus of dwarf boas[3] endemic to the West Indies and South America. Currently, either 17 or 33 species are recognized, depending on the authority.[3]
Adults grow to between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 in) in total length (including tail). They are secretive and predominantly terrestrial, found in a variety of natural habitats, including rain forest, swamps, pine woods and scrub, as well as in the vicinity of human habitation. They have an interesting defensive habit of Autohaemorrhaging from the mouth, nostrils and eyes when disturbed.[4] Some species also change colour over the course of the day.[4]
Despite their relatively small size and secretive nature, some species may be susceptible to extirpation, mainly due to habitat alteration and introduced feral animals. The Navassa Island dwarf boa (T. bucculentus) has not been seen for 100 years and is believed to be extinct.
Found in the West Indies, including Cuba, and in South America (Brazil, Peru and Ecuador).[1]
T) Type species.[1]
The Reptile Database includes these further species:[5]
Species[5] Taxon author[5] Subsp.*[5] Common name Geographic range[5] Tropidophis cacuangoae (Hedges, Estrada & Díaz, 1999) 0 Ecuador Tropidophis celiae (Hedges, Estrada & Díaz, 1999) 0 Canasi dwarf boa Cuba and adjacent islands Tropidophis curtus (Garman, 1887) 0 Northern Bahamas dwarf boa the Bahamas Tropidophis galacelidus Schwartz & Garrido, 1975 0 Escambray white-necked dwarf boa central Cuba Tropidophis grapiuna Curcio, Sales-Nunes, Suzart-Argolo, Skuk & Rodrigues, 2012 0 Brazil Tropidophis hardyi Schwartz & Garrido, 1975 0 Escambray small-headed dwarf boa Cuba Tropidophis hendersoni Hedges & Garrido, 2002 0 Cuban khaki dwarf boa Cuba Tropidophis jamaicensis Stull, 1928 0 Jamaican dwarf boa Jamaica Tropidophis leonae Landestoy, 2023 0 Jaragua golden trope Dominican Republic Tropidophis morenoi Hedges, Garrido & Díaz, 2001 0 zebra dwarf boa Cuba Tropidophis parkeri Grant, 1941 0 Parker's dwarf boa[6] Little Cayman Island Tropidophis preciosus Curcio, Sales Nunes, Suzart Argolo, Skuk & Rodrigues, 2012 0 Brazil Tropidophis schwartzi Thomas, 1963 0 Schwartz's dwarf boa[6] the Cayman Islands Tropidophis spiritus Hedges & Garrido, 1999 0 Sancti Spíritus dwarf boa Cuba Tropidophis steinleini Díaz & Cádiz, 2020 0 Cuba Tropidophis stejnegeri Grant, 1940 0 Stejneger's dwarf boa northern Jamaica Tropidophis stullae Grant, 1940 0 Stull's dwarf boa southern Jamaica Tropidophis xanthogaster Domínguez, Moreno & Hedges, 2006 0 Guanahacabibes dwarf boa CubaThere are currently 33 species, in which 26 of them are West Indian and 15 of them are Cuban. The 15 species in Cuba are the most diverse.[7]
Tropidophis, common name wood snakes or West Indian wood snakes, is a genus of dwarf boas endemic to the West Indies and South America. Currently, either 17 or 33 species are recognized, depending on the authority.
