Pseudoboa coronata Schneider, 1801

De Alencar, Arília Aiarsa Laura R. V. & Martins, Marcio, 2013, Natural History Of Pseudoboine Snakes, Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 53 (19), pp. 261-283 : 271-272

Pseudoboa coronata Schneider, 1801

Distribution: Pseudoboa coronata is distributed in central Brazil, throughout the Amazon basin to coastal Venezuela ( Griffin, 1920; Beebe, 1946; Hoge et al., 1972; Cunha & Nascimento, 1978, 1983; Duellman, 1978, 2005; Gasc & Rodrigues, 1980; Dixon & Soini, 1986; Pérez-Santos & Moreno, 1988; Silva, 1993; Martins & Oliveira, 1998; Fuenmayor & La Marca, 2001; Frota et al., 2005; Ribeiro, 2007).

Habitat and time of activity: This moderate-sized pseudoboine (maximum SVL = 1093 mm, female; Silva, 1993) is a forest inhabitant that may be found in disturbed areas ( Beebe, 1946; Cunha & Nascimento, 1978, 1993; Duellman, 1978, 2005; Dixon & Soini, 1986; Silva, 1993; Martins & Oliveira, 1998; P. Bernade, unpublished data; M. Hoogmed, unpublished data; M. Sena, unpublished data; F. Stender, unpublished data). It is a terrestrial species (N = 14; Beebe, 1946; Duellman, 1978, 2005; Silva, 1993; Martins & Oliveira, 1998; P. Bernarde, unpublished data; M. Sena, unpublished data; F. Stender, unpublished data), although Duellman (1978) reports one individual in the water. Pseudoboa coronata appears to be active both during the day (N = 3; Duellman, 1978, F. Stender, unpublished data) and during the night (N = 6; Duellman, 1978, 2005; Martins & Oliveira, 1998; Starace, 1998; P. Bernarde, unpublished data).

Feeding: Pseudoboa coronata seems to be a generalist species that feeds mainly on lizards (N = 4, Ameiva ameiva , one scincid), and also eat small mammals (N = 3, two rodents and one marsupial), occasionally ingesting snakes (N = 1, Tantilla melanocephala ) and eels (N = 1) ( Beebe, 1946; Duellman, 1978, 2005; Martins & Oliveira; 1998, this study).

Reproduction: Clutch size varies from three to six eggs (N = 5, mean = 4.58; Duellman, 1978; Martins & Oliveira, 1998; this study). The smallest mature female was 576 mm SVL (this study) and the smallest mature male was 556 mm SVL (this study).

Defense: Martins & Oliveira (1998) reported that a single individual of P. coronata thrashed the body and constricted when handled.