Common Mussurana

About the Common Mussurana

Clelia clelia, commonly known as the mussurana, black mussurana or windward cribo, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to the New World. The subspecific name, groomei, is in honor of Grenadian zoologist John R. Groome.

Clelia clelia is called doi or duma in the Kwaza language of Rondônia, Brazil. Clelia clelia is found in Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles (including the island of Trinidad). The preferred natural habitat of Clelia clelia is forest at altitudes from sea level to 1,500 m (4,900 ft).

Clelia clelia is a large snake. Adults may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 2.1 m (6.9 ft). Dorsally, adults are uniform black, gray, or olive-gray. Ventrally, adults are yellowish white. Juveniles are pale brown or red, with a black head and a yellow collar.

Clelia clelia is terrestrial. It is primarily nocturnal, but it is also sometimes diurnal. Clelia clelia is a generalized noctural predator with a strong degree of ophiophagy, including venomous snakes of the genera Bothriechis, Bothrops... Wikipedia →