Pseudoboa neuwiedii Duméril

De Alencar, Arília Aiarsa Laura R. V. & Martins, Marcio, 2013, Natural History Of Pseudoboine Snakes, Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 53 (19), pp. 261-283 : 273

Pseudoboa neuwiedii Duméril ,

Bibron & Duméril, 1854

Distribution: Pseudoboa neuwiedii is distributed from central Brazil to the Amazon basin, coastal Venzuela, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies, and Panama ( Beebe, 1946; Shreve, 1947; Hoge, 1967; Gasc & Rodrigues, 1980; Cunha & Nascimento, 1983; Pérez-Santos & Moreno, 1988; Schwartz & Henderson, 1991; Murphy, 1997; Martins & Oliveira, 1998; Esqueda & La Marca, 1999; Oliveiros et al., 2000; Kornacker, 2001; Frota et al., 2005; L.J. Vitt, unpublished data).

Habitat and time of activity: Pseudoboa neuwiedii is a relatively small species of Pseudoboa (maximum SVL = 972 mm, female; this study) that inhabits both open and forested areas ( Martins & Oliveira, 1998; Murphy, 1997; Oliveiros et al., 2000; M. Hoogmed, unpublished data). Regarding microhabitat there are records of activity on the ground (N = 5; Beebe, 1946; Martins & Oliveira, 1998; F. Sarnento, unpublished data), on the vegetation (N = 1; M. Hoogmed, unpublished data), and within the leaf litter (N = 3; Martins & Oliveira, 1998; Murphy, 1997). It seems to be predominantly nocturnal (N = 6; Martins & Oliveira, 1998; Oliveiros et al., 2000; F. Sarnento, unpublished data), but one individual was found in activity during the day ( Martins & Oliveira, 1998) and another during the twilight (M. Hoogmoed, unpublished data).

Feeding: The scattered information available indicates that P. neuwiedii feeds on lizards (N = 2, one Ameiva ameiva ), small mammals (N = 1, rodent), and snakes (N = 1) ( Murphy, 1997; Martins & Oliveira, 1998; this study).

Reproduction: Clutch size varies from three to 12 eggs (N = 5, mean = 5.6; this study). The smallest mature female was 723 mm SVL (this study) and there is no information for the smallest mature male .

Defense: When handled P. neuwiedii can thrash the body, constrict, and occasionally bite ( Beebe, 1946; Martins & Oliveira, 1998).