CHACO RACER Philodryas psammophidea
Up in the Chaco lives this rarely seen member of the "Racer clan". Found only in extremely dry areas this small snake is, like other members of the genus, a rapid, ground-dwelling species. Racers can be aggressive if molested and their bites contain toxins that can lead to painful local swelling.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - Adult roadkill dorsal, Pozo Colorado, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Hugo del Castillo November 2008).
FIGURE 2 - Same individual ventral, (Hugo del Castillo November 2008).
FIGURE 3 - Adult roadkill dorsal, Central Chaco, Departamento Boquerón (Hugo del Castillo July 2008).
FIGURE 4 - Same individual dorsal close-up (Hugo del Castillo July 2008).
FIGURE 5 - Same individual ventral (Hugo del Castillo July 2008).
FIGURE 6 - Same individual head detail (Hugo del Castillo July 2008).
FIGURE 7 - Same individual lateral (Hugo del Castillo July 2008).
FIGURE 8 - Juvenile, PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 9 - Same individual head detail (Paul Smith October 2007).
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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 page were taken by Paul Smith and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.