Oxybelis microphthalmus
Barbour and Amaral, 1926
Thornscrub Brown Vinesnake
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1354241
Element CodeARADB24020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyColubridae
GenusOxybelis
Concept ReferenceJadin, R. C., C. Blair, S. A. Orlofske, M. J. Jowers, G. A. Rivas, L. J. Vitt, J. M. Ray, E. N. Smith, and J. C. Murphy. 2020. Not withering on the evolutionary vine: systematic revision of the Brown Vine Snake (Reptilia: Squamata: Oxybelis) from its northern distribution. Organisms Diversity and Evolution 20:723-746. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13127-020-00461-0
Taxonomic CommentsTaxonomy follows Jadin et al. (2020), who subdivided O. aeneus into six species based on genetic and morphological differences (Nicholson 2025).
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Habitats include arid and moist tropical and subtropical lowlands and uplands, such as dense and open moist forests, dry forests, disturbed forests, and arid scrub forests; sometimes coffee and banana groves, orchards, grassy and bushy areas bordering clearings, gullies, sand dunes, lawns, shrubby areas in towns, and areas bordering ponds, lakes, and streams (Keiser 1982). In Arizona, the habitat includes brushy hillsides and stream bottoms with sycamore, oak, walnut, and wild grape (Stebbins 2003). This is a largely aboreal species that is tolerant of human disturbance.
Reproduction
Lays a clutch of 3-5 eggs, late spring to early summer. Incubation lasts about 2.5 months (Behler and King 1979).
Other Nations (1)
United StatesNNR
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Arizona | S2 | Yes |
Roadless Areas (1)
Arizona (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|
| Tumacacori | Coronado National Forest | 44,594 |
References (4)
- Behler, J. L., and F. W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles and amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 719 pp.
- Jadin, R. C., C. Blair, S. A. Orlofske, M. J. Jowers, G. A. Rivas, L. J. Vitt, J. M. Ray, E. N. Smith, and J. C. Murphy. 2020. Not withering on the evolutionary vine: systematic revision of the Brown Vine Snake (Reptilia: Squamata: <i>Oxybelis</i>) from its northern distribution. Organisms Diversity and Evolution 20:723-746. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13127-020-00461-0
- Nicholson, K. E. (ed.). 2025. Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with Comments Regarding Confidence in Our Understanding. Ninth Edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 87pp. Online database available at: https://cnah.org/SSARnames.aspx
- Stebbins, R. C. 1985a. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. xiv + 336 pp.