Xenodon merremii (Wagler, 1824)

Guedes, Thaís B., Nogueira, Cristiano & Marques, Otavio A. V., 2014, Diversity, natural history, and geographic distribution of snakes in the Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil, Zootaxa 3863 (1), pp. 1-93 : 53

Xenodon merremii (Wagler, 1824) “Cobra-boca-de-caçapa, jararaca-malha-de-cascavel, goipeba”

(Figs. 20.2 and 32.4)

This is the most abundant snake species of the region (based on collection data) and was recorded in all states and all areas inside Caatinga. It can be found in low and high localities; from sea level to 1,200 m elevation. It is also widely distributed in the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Pantanal, and Pampas regions ( Marques et al. 2001, 2005; Bérnils et al. 2008; Nogueira et al. 2010, 2011). The available records indicate that the species can be found in forested and open areas, and all phytophysiognomies within the Caatinga region, including cerrado and moist forest enclaves. It has terretrial habits, is diurnal and feeds on frogs ( Marques et al. 2001).