PATAGONIAN RACER Philodryas patagoniensis
It is not strictly confined to Patagonia, but at least the Racer part of this snake´s common name is accurate - they are capable of impressive bursts of speed across open areas! It is a large and common snake of grassy habitats in Paraguay, its colouration rendering it almost invisible and very easy to step on! Though non-venemous, when molested they will attempt to bite and their toxic saliva means that bites can be extremely painful. Like all large snakes it is best treated with respect.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - Juvenile, Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith January 2007).
FIGURE 2 - Same individual head detail (Paul Smith January 2007).
FIGURE 3 - Adult found dead, Asunción, Departamento Central (Hugo del Castillo December 2007).
FIGURE 4 - Adult roadkill dorsal view, Ruta Trans-Chaco km300 (Paul Smith October 2008).
FIGURE 5 - Same individual ventral view (Paul Smith October 2008).
FIGURE 6 - Same individual head lateral view (Paul Smith October 2008).
FIGURE 7 - Same individual head dorsal view (Paul Smith October 2008).
FIGURE 8 - Same individual head ventral view (Paul Smith October 2008).
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Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law. Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay. Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.