Oxyrhopus clathratus Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854

De Alencar, Arília Aiarsa Laura R. V. & Martins, Marcio, 2013, Natural History Of Pseudoboine Snakes, Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 53 (19), pp. 261-283 : 266-267

Oxyrhopus clathratus Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854

Distribution: Oxyrhopus clathratus occurs from eastern to southern Brazil and northeastern Argentina ( Marques, 1998; Borges, 2004; Hartmann, 2005; Morato, 2005; Cicchi et al., 2007; Di-Bernardo et al., 2007; Kunz, 2007; Hartmann & Giasson, 2008; Forlani et al., 2010; Bernardo et al., 2012; O.A. V. Marques, unpublished data; F.E. Barbo, unpublished data), with one known locality for the northeastern coast of Brazil (Bahia state; Argôlo, 2004) and a few in Argentina (Missiones department; Cranwell, 1943; Giraudo, 1999).

Habitat and time of activity: Oxyrhopus clathratus is the largest species of the genus Oxyrhopus (maximum SVL = 1132 mm, female; this study). It primarily inhabits forested areas but can be occasionally found in open and disturbed areas ( Hartmann, 2005; Morato, 2005; Di-Bernardo et al., 2007; Hartmann & Giasson, 2008). Oxyrhopus clathratus is a terrestrial species (N = 31; Hartmann, 2005; Morato, 2005; Di-Bernardo et al., 2007; Kunz, 2007; Hartmann & Giasson, 2008; Hartmann et al., 2009; Barbo et al., 2011; S. Morato, unpublished data; F.E. Barbo, unpublished data) that can be found active during the day (N = 9) and night (N = 18) ( Marques, 1998; Hartmann, 2005; Morato, 2005; Kunz, 2007; Hartmann & Giasson, 2008; Barbo et al., 2011; O.A. V. Marques, unpublished data; S. Morato, unpublished data; F.E. Barbo, unpublished data; this study).

Feeding: Although information in the literature suggests that some Oxyrhopus species can present an ontogenetic shift in diet (e.g., Andrade & Silvano, 1996; see below), the literature data indicates that O. clathratus is a small mammal specialist (N = 28; 22 rodents, five murids) that can also feed on lizards (N = 4; one Ecpleopus gaudichaudi , one gymnophthalmid, two scincids) and birds (N = 2) ( Marques, 1998; Borges, 2004; Hartmann, 2005; Morato, 2005; Kunz, 2007; O.A. V. Marques, unpublished data). However, this result must be viewed carefully because a large sample of adult specimens could have biased it.

Reproduction: Clutch size varies from four to 16 eggs (N = 37, mean = 7.8 eggs; Marques, 1998; O.A. V. Marques, unpublished data; R. Scartozonni, unpublished data). The smallest mature female was 612 mm SVL (O.A. V. Marques, unpublished data) and the smallest mature male was 510 mm SVL (O.A. V. Marques, unpublished data).

Defense: When handled, Hartmann (2005) reported that one individual of O. clathratus discharged cloacal secretions and bit, while another tried to escape and hide its head under the body.