Observations on reproduction in captivity of the endemic long-tailed snake Philodryas chamissonis (Wiegmann, 1835) (Reptilia, Squamata, Dipsadidae) from Chile

By

Cabeza, Osvaldo
Vargas, Eugenio
Ibarra, Carolina
Urra, Felix A.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019-9-10

Original Publication

Subterranean Biology

Volume

32

Pages

203--209

Subjects

Chile , colubrids , Eggs , hatching , oviposition , rear-fanged snake , Reproduction

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e36705

 

Abstract

The long-tailed snakePhilodryas chamissonisis an oviparous rear-fanged species endemic to Chile, whose reproductive biology is currently based on anecdotic reports. The characteristics of the eggs, incubation time, and hatching are still unknown. This work describes for the first time the oviposition of 16 eggs by a female in captivity at Zoológico Nacional in Chile. After an incubation period of 59 days, seven neonates were born. We recorded data of biometry and ecdysis of these neonates for 9 months. In addition, a review about parameters of egg incubation and hatching forPhilodryasspecies is provided.