Ridgehead snake

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Ridgehead snake (Manolepis putnami)

Ridgehead snake is a small snake in the Colubridae family. It is found only in southeastern Mexico, in the states of Chiapas, Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, Nayarit, and Oaxaca, mainly in forests. It is the only species in its genus, Manolepis. The name putnami honors American anthropologist Frederic Ward Putnam. The species has a conservation status of Least Concern.

Description:
It grows up to about 55 cm in total length, with a tail of about 14 cm. Dorsally it is pale brown or yellowish with a brown central stripe edged with a darker line. Ventrally it is whitish with brown speckles. The dorsal scales are smooth and arranged in 19 rows at midbody. The anal scale is divided, and the subcaudal scales are in two rows.

Dentition:
Ridgehead snakes are rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous). They have 15 small maxillary teeth, followed by a gap, and then two enlarged grooved fangs. The anterior mandibular teeth are longer than the posterior ones.