''Alsophis'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

snake Snakes are elongated, limbless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes . Like all other squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with several more j ...

s in the subfamily

Dipsadinae Dipsadinae is a large subfamily of colubroid snakes, sometimes referred to as a family (Dipsadidae). They are found in most of the Americas, including the West Indies, and are most diverse in South America. There are more than 700 species. Dips ...

of the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Colubridae.

Species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

in the genus ''Alsophis'' are among those snakes commonly called "racers". ''Alsophis'' species are endemic to the

Lesser Antilles The Lesser Antilles ( es, link=no, Antillas Menores; french: link=no, Petites Antilles; pap, Antias Menor; nl, Kleine Antillen) are a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. Most of them are part of a long, partially volcanic island arc bet ...

in the Caribbean. One

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

in the genus ''Alsophis'', ''A. antiguae'', is one of the world's rarest known snakes. Snakes of the genus ''Alsophis'' are small and rear-fanged, and they are considered harmless to humans. This genus contains nine described species which are recognized as being valid. Several species once included in this genus have been placed in the genera ''

Borikenophis ''Borikenophis'' is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae endemic to the Puerto Rican archipelago and the Virgin Islands. Etymology The genus name comes from ''Borikén'', the Taíno word for Puerto Rico and ''ophis'', Greek for "snake". ...

'' and '' Pseudalsophis''.

Rarest species

'' Alsophis antiguae'' is the rarest snake in the genus ''Alsophis''. This snake once occurred on Antigua and

Barbuda Barbuda (), is an island located in the eastern Caribbean forming part of the sovereign state of Antigua and Barbuda. It is located north of the island of Antigua and is part of the Leeward Islands of the West Indies. The island is a popula ...

, but by 1995, only 50 individuals remained on

Great Bird Island Great Bird Island is a tiny islet lying almost three kilometers north-east of Antigua. Measuring just , it is smaller than most city parks. It is a private island but open to the public. Flora and Fauna The island is the only place on Earth ...

, off the coast of Antigua. Following the removal of invasive alien predators and successful reintroductions to a further three islands (Rabbit in 1999, Green Island in 2001, and York Island in 2008), the total population has increased to more than 1,000 individuals.

Description

Snakes of the genus ''Alsophis'' are all relatively small, usually less than about 1 m (39⅜ in) in body length. Females tend to be larger than males. these racers are rear-fanged, with enlarged teeth at the rear of their upper jaws.

Behavior

''Alsophis'' species are harmless to humans and most have a gentle temperament. They are diurnal, usually active from dawn to dusk.

Species

Listed alphabetically by specific name. *'' Alsophis antiguae'' – Antiguan racer *'' Alsophis antillensis'' – Antilles racer, Guadeloupe racer, Leeward racer *'' Alsophis danforthi'' *'' Alsophis manselli'' – Montserrat racer *'' Alsophis rijgersmaei'' – Anguilla racer, Anguilla Bank racer, Leeward Islands racer *'' Alsophis rufiventris'' – orange-bellied racer, red-bellied racer, Saba racer *'' Alsophis sanctonum'' *'' Alsophis sibonius'' – Antilles racer, Dominica racer, Dominican racer, Leeward racer ''

Nota bene (, or ; plural form ) is a Latin phrase meaning "note well". It is often abbreviated as NB, n.b., or with the ligature and first appeared in English writing . In Modern English, it is used, particularly in legal papers, to draw the atten ...

'': A

binomial authority In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...

in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than ''Alsophis''.

References

External links

Life is Short, but Snakes are LongAntiguan racer at Fauna & Flora InternationalOffshore Islands Conservation Programme
Snake genera Taxa named by Leopold Fitzinger Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Snakes of the Caribbean {{Colubrids-stub