Julia's ground snake


Julia's ground snake is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is found in the Caribbean, on the Lesser Antilles islands of Dominica and Guadeloupe.

Etymology

The specific name, juliae, is in honor of Julia Cope Collins, who was the only child of American herpetologist Edward Drinker Cope, the describer of this species.

Subspecies

The nominate subspecies, E. j. juliae, is endemic to Dominica, where it may be found everywhere but the highest elevations. E. j. copeae is found on numerous islands in the Guadeloupean archipelago, while E. j. mariae is restricted to the Guadeloupean island of Marie-Galante. Its relative rareness in Guadeloupe is attributed to the presence of the mongoose, which is absent from Dominica.

Description

E. juliae can reach half a meter in total length. Its coloration is typically white or yellowish flecks on a glossy dark ground color, but some individuals are uniformly dark.

Diet

Julia's ground snake eats lizards, frogs, and insects.

Defensive behavior

E. juliae is harmless to humans, but may release a foul-smelling cloacal secretion if provoked.