Royal Ground Snake

About the Royal Ground Snake

The royal ground snake (Erythrolamprus reginae) is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to northern South America. Erythrolamprus reginae belongs to the genus Erythrolamprus, which contains over 50 species. The genus Erythrolamprus belongs to the subfamily Dipsadinae, which is sometimes referred to as the family Dipsadidae.

Recent phylogenetic analysis of morphological and molecular DNA evidence has shown that Erythrolamprus reginae is now likely paraphyletic. Erythrolamprus zweifeli was previously considered to be a subspecies of Erythrolamprus reginae and called Erythrolamprus reginae zweifeli. However, based on notable differences in coloration and scale counts, it is now considered to be a separate species. Erythrolamprus pseudoreginae of Tobago, named in 2019, was also previously considered to be part of Erythrolamprus reginae, but is now separate.

The relationships of Erythrolamprus species located in northern South America can be shown in the cladogram below: It feeds on frogs, frog eggs, tadpoles, fish, small birds, and lizards. In an experiment conducted by biologists from the University of California... Wikipedia →