Coluber gracilis

Graceful Racer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Subfamily:	Colubrinae
Genus:	Coluber
Species:	C. gracilis
Binomial name
Coluber gracilis (Günther, 1862)
File:Coluber gracilis distribution.png
Synonyms
Argyrogena gracilis

Graceful Racer (also commonly known as Slender Racer) Coluber gracilis is a species of snake found in India.

Description

See snake scales for terms used

Snout is obtuse; rostral nearly as deep as broad, just visible from above; suture between the internasals a little shorter than that between the prefrontals; frontal slightly longer than its distance from the end of the snout, nearly as long as the occipitals; loreal nearly as deep as long; one preocular, with a small subocular below 3 two postoculars ; temporals 2+2; 9 upper labials, fifth and sixth entering the eye; 4 or 5 lower labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields; posterior chin-shields as long as or longer than the anterior, separated anteriorly by two scales. Scales smooth, in 21 rows. Ventrals ungulate laterally, 213-228; anal divided; subcaudals 118-121. Yellowish above, with a series of large round brown spots edged with black, separated by narrow interspaces; these spots become more indistinct on the posterior part of the body; a black cross-band on the snout and three angular dark brown black-edged bands on the head, the anterior between the eye, the posterior extending on to the nape; lower parts yellowish, with an irregular series of black spots on each side. Total length 33 inches; tail 10.

Distribution

Maharashtra [Pune = Poona district], Madhya, Pradesh).

References

• Günther, A. 1862 On new species of snakes in the collection of the British Museum. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (3) 9: 124-132
• Schätti B; Wilson L D 1986 Coluber Linnaeus. Holarctic racers. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles No. 399 1986: 1-4

External links

• Coluber gracilis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
• Image of Coluber gracilis on Flickr