Geophis hoffmanni explained

Geophis hoffmanni, also known commonly as Hoffmann's earth snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Central America.

Etymology

The specific name, hoffmanni, is in honor of German naturalist Karl Hoffmann.^[1]

Geographic range

G. hoffmanni is found in Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.^[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of G. hoffmanni is forest, at altitudes of, but it is also found in disturbed areas such as farms and gardens.

Description

A small species of snake, the holotype of G. hoffmanni has total length (including tail) of (W. Peters, 1859). The dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows throughout the length of the body. There are five or fewer upper labials, and the posterior chin shields contact each other. The ventrals number 114–131, and the subcaudals number 23–32. Adults are uniformly dark brown or black dorsally, and are white or cream-colored ventrally. Juveniles have a paler nuchal collar.^[2]

Behavior

G. hoffmanni is terrestrial and secretive, sheltering under logs and rocks.

Reproduction

G. hoffmanni is oviparous.^[2]

Further reading

• Boulenger GA (1894). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xi + 382 pp. + Plates I–XX. (Geophis hoffmanni, pp. 319–320).
• Downs FL (1967). "Intrageneric relations among colubrid snakes of the genus Geophis Wagler". Miscellaneous Publications, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan 131: 1–193.
• Peters W (1859). "Über die von Hrn. Dr. Hoffmann in Costa Rica gesammelten und an das Königl. zoologische Museum gesandten Schlangen ". Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1859: 275–278. (Colobognathus hoffmanni, new species, p. 276). (in German).
• Savage JM (2002). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between Two Continents, between Two Seas. Chicago & London: University of Chicago Press. xx + 945 pp. .

Notes and References

1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens B]
2. www.reptile-database.org.