Paraphimophis rusticus Cope, 1878

De Alencar, Arília Aiarsa Laura R. V. & Martins, Marcio, 2013, Natural History Of Pseudoboine Snakes, Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 53 (19), pp. 261-283 : 270-271

Paraphimophis rusticus Cope, 1878

Distribution: Paraphimophis rusticus is known from southeastern and southern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and Uruguay ( Zaher, 1996; Achaval & Olmos, 1997; Franco et al., 1997; Gallardo & Scrocchi, 2006; Kacoliris et al., 2006b; Scott Jr. et al., 2006).

Habitat and time of activity: Paraphimophis rusticus is a moderate to large-sized pseudoboine (maximum SVL = 1850 mm, female; Pizzatto, 2005). It inhabits forests ( Di-Bernardo, 1998; S. Morato, unpublished data) and can be found in disturbed areas ( Veja & Bellagamba, 1990; R. Bérnils, unpublished data). The scattered information concerning microhabitat use and time of activity indicates that this species may be terrestrial (N = 2) and diurnal (N = 3) ( Di-Bernardo, 1998; R. Bérnils & I. Opuskevitch, unpublished data).

Feeding: Paraphimophis rusticus is a generalist species that consumes mainly small mammals (N = 5; one Akodon sp. ) and snakes (N = 4, one Oxyrhopus rhombifer , two Philodryas olfersii ), occasionally feeding on lizards (N = 1) ( Ophiodes fragilis ; Pinto & Lema, 2002; Vidal, 2002; this study).

Reproduction: Clutch size varies from seven to 13 eggs (N = 12, mean = 8.9 eggs; Vaz-Ferreira et al., 1970; Pizzatto, 2005; Gallardo & Scrocchi, 2006; Carreira & Baletta, 2007; this study). Pizzatto (2005) found a significant sexual size dimorphism in snout-vent length for P. rusticus , with females attaining larger body size than males. The smallest mature female was 849 + 137 mm ( SVL + TL; this study) and the smallest mature male was 750 mm SVL ( Pizzatto, 2005).

Defense: When handled P. rusticus is very docile and does not try to bite ( Achaval & Olmos, 1997).