Ficimia publia (common name: blotched hooknose snake) is a species of colubrid snake, indigenous to southern Mexico (Yucatan, Jalisco, and Morelos), Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.[2]
| Ficimia publia | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Ficimia |
| Species: | F. publia
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| Binomial name | |
| Ficimia publia Cope, 1866
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Appearance edit
The blotched hooknose snake is so called because of its sharp-edged upturned snout. It is normally pale tan, pale brown, yellowish tan, orange-tan or reddish brown in colour.[3]
Diet edit
The snake has a diet of mostly spiders and insects, and uses its characteristic 'hooked nose' to forage through the debris on the forest floor.[3]
Defence edit
When scared or threatened the snake coils up and opens its mouth before striking. It is harmless and not poisonous, but it resembles the venomous variable coral snake, and this frightens predators away.[3]
Notes edit
- ^ Ariano-Sánchez, D.; Lee, J. (2013). "Ficimia publia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T197485A2489171. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T197485A2489171.en. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ "Blotched Hooknose Snake (Ficimia publia)". iNaturalist.org. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ a b c "Blotched Hooknosed Snake". backyardnature.net. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
References edit
- Campbell, J. Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Guatemala, the Yucatán, and Belize.
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