Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: known as "Chontas," is a large and robust snake with a cylindrical body; the species is distributed from southern Mexico to northern Argentina (Wallach et al. 2014).In Ecuador, this species occurs at elevations of 0-1,990 m asl (Solórzano and Sasa 2002).Black Mussuranas have an ophiophagus diet that includes venomous snakes (Savage 2002; Solórzano 2004).However, recent evidence indicates that the species also preys on lizards, birds, and small mammals (Savage 2002; Solórzano 2004; Chavarría and Barrio-Amorós 2014).In general, little is known about predation by these snakes on lizards because the state of decomposition of the prey often prevents taxonomic identification at the species level (Vaughan and Ruiz-Gutierrez 2006) (Table 1).
Source: Reptiles & Amphibians
Authors: Katherin Hinojosa, Fernando Ayala
Institution: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409561966