Antilles racer


The Antilles racer is a species of snake found in the Caribbean, on the Lesser Antilles islands of Montserrat, Dominica, and Guadeloupe. It is common only on Dominica, where it can be found in all areas except the highest elevations, possibly due to the absence of the mongoose on that island.
It can reach nearly a meter in length. It feeds on lizards and small rodents. It rarely bites humans, but may release a foul-smelling cloacal secretion when disturbed.
The Dominican population is alternately described as an endemic subspecies A. a. sibonius, or as an endemic species, A. sibonius. It has a brown ground color, with lighter brown or white splotches that may alternate to form a zig-zag pattern. A. a. manselli is restricted to Montserrat. Populations on Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante have possibly been extirpated.