About Scolecophis atrocinctus (Schlegel, 1837)
Scolecophis is a genus of snake in the family Colubridae that has only one member species, Scolecophis atrocinctus. The genus name comes from Greek words: skolex, which means worm or grub, and ophis, which means snake. This name refers to the foods this snake prefers to eat. The species name comes from Latin words: ater, which means black, and cingula, which means girdle. This name refers to the snake's physical appearance. This species is commonly called the black-banded snake. It lives in Central America, and its range covers Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. The diet of this snake is made up of invertebrates including centipedes, arachnids, worms, crickets, millipedes, and grubs. Adult black-banded snakes reach a total length between 18 and 24 inches, or 45 to 60 centimeters. Their bodies are patterned with black and white bands, and red spots run along their spine down the white bands from the head all the way to the tail. They have very small eyes and a flat head. Much about this species is still not well understood.
