{{Short description|Genus of snakes}} {{Italic title}} {{speciesbox | image = | image_caption = | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Arzamendia, V. |author2=Giraudo, A. |author3=Scott, N. |author4=Scrocchi, G. |date=2019 |title=''Rhachidelus brazili'' |volume=2019 |article-number=e.T177505A56039571 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T177505A56039571.en |access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Rhachidelus | parent_authority = Boulenger, 1908 | species = brazili | authority = Boulenger, 1908 }}
'''''Rhachidelus''''' is a genus of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to South America.
==Species== The genus ''Rhachidelus'' is monotypic, containing the sole species '''''Rhachidelus brazili''''',<ref name=RDB-genus/> which is commonly known as the '''Brazilian bird snake'''.
==Etymology== The specific name, ''brazili'', is in honor of Brazilian herpetologist Vital Brazil.<ref>Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (''Rhachidelus brazili'', p. 37).</ref>
==Geographic range== ''R. brazili'' is found in northeastern Argentina, southern Brazil, and southeastern Paraguay.<ref name=RDB/>
==Habitat== The preferred natural habitats of ''R. brazili'' are forest and savanna.<ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021" />
==Description== ''R. brazili'' is a medium-sized species of snake. The holotype has a total length of {{convert|1.32|m|ft|abbr=on}}, including the tail which is {{convert|0.31|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length. The dorsal scales are smooth, have distinct paired apical pits, and are arranged in 25 rows at midbody. The vertebral row is enlarged. Adults are shiny dark brown to black dorsally, and dark brown ventrally.<ref>Boulenger GA (1908).</ref> Juveniles have a red band across the back of the top of the head, including the parietal scales.<ref name=RDB/>
==Diet== The diet of ''R. brazili'' consists mainly of birds' eggs.<ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021" /><ref name=RDB/>
==Reproduction== ''R. brazili'' is oviparous.<ref name=RDB/>
==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=RDB-genus>{{NRDB genus|genus=Rhachidelus|date=23 December|year=2016}}</ref> <ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species|genus=Rhachidelus|species=brazili|accessdate=23 December 2016}}</ref> }}
==Further reading== *Boulenger GA (1908). "On a new Genus of Snakes from Brazil". ''Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Eighth Series'' '''2''': 31–32. (''Rhachidelus'', new genus; ''R. brazili'', new species). *Freiberg M (1982). ''Snakes of South America''. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. 189 pp. {{ISBN|0-87666-912-7}}. (''Rhachidelus'', pp. 79, 108).
{{Taxonbar|from=Q14490325}}
Category:Dipsadinae Category:Monotypic snake genera Category:Reptiles of Argentina Category:Snakes of Brazil Category:Reptiles of Paraguay Category:Fauna of the Pantanal Category:Reptiles described in 1908 Category:Taxa named by George Albert Boulenger
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