Phimophis guerini Duméril

De Alencar, Arília Aiarsa Laura R. V. & Martins, Marcio, 2013, Natural History Of Pseudoboine Snakes, Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 53 (19), pp. 261-283 : 271

Phimophis guerini Duméril ,

Bibron & Duméril, 1854

Distribution: Phimophis guerini is distributed in central and southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina ( Abdala, 1990; Lema, 1994; Vuoto, 1995; Leynaud & Chiaraviglio, 1996; Yanosky et al., 1996; França et al., 2006; Vaz-Silva et al., 2007).

Habitat and time of activity: P. guerini is the largest Phimophis species (maximum SVL = 1038 mm; Sawaya, 2003) and inhabits different types of open vegetation throughout its distribution ( Sawaya, 2003; Vaz-Silva et al., 2007; Sawaya et al., 2008; Neto, 2009; C. Strüssmann, unpublished data; P. Valdujo, unpublished data). There are only two records in disturbed areas ( Sawaya et al., 2008; Queissada, 2009). It seems to be primarily terrestrial (N = 11; Sawaya et al., 2008; S. Morato, unpublished data; C. Strüssmann, unpublished data; P. Valdujo, unpublished data), and nocturnal (N = 8; Sawaya, 2003; P. Valdujo, unpublished data).

Feeding: Phimophis guerini is a lizard specialist (N = 11, one Ameiva ameiva ) that may occacionally eat small mammals (N = 1) ( Sawaya et al., 2008; this study).

Reproduction: Clutch size varies from three to seven eggs (N = 3, mean = 4.7; this study). The smallest mature female was 699 mm SVL (this study) and the smallest mature male was 435 mm ( SVL; this study) .

Defense: When handled, P. guerini may trash the body, expel cloacal gland products, and bite ( Sawaya et al., 2008).