Arboreal behaviour in the Stuart's burrowing snake Adelphicos veraepacis (Dipsadinae) in Baja Verapaz, Guatemala

摘要

A delphicos veraepacis Stuart, 1941 is a little known snake species that is endemic to the mountain regions of Guatemala, occurring only in Sierra de las Minas, Cuilco Mountains, Sierra de los Cuchumatanes and Sierra de Xucaneb (Acevedo et al., 2014). It inhabits cloud, rain and pine forests from 1,200 to 2,200 meters asl. Snakes in this genus are encountered infrequently due to their predominantly fossorial and terrestrial lifestyle. Consequently, there are few published observations of their ecology or natural history. According to the IUCN Red List, A. veraepacis is classified as vulnerable due to its restricted distribution and the associated threat of habitat loss. The cloud forests from the Verapaces region, where this snake was observed, are currently threatened owing to the increased cultivation of leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) for export to Japan and Europe, pine plantations and intentional fires (Acevedo et al., 2014).