Antilles slender snake

Alsophis antillensis**

 The Antilles slender snake (English Antilles Racer, French Couresse de la Guadeloupe; Alsophis antillensis) is a species of snake from the snake family. It is endemic to some islands in the Lesser Antilles: Montserrat, Dominica and Guadeloupe. It is critically endangered and only widespread on Dominica, probably because there are no mongooses on the island.

The animals are 80 to 100 cm long, are dark gray / brown in color, with lighter drawings on the upper side, some of which appear as a zigzag pattern. The reptile is very shy, nontoxic and completely harmless. If picked up, they can secrete a foul-smelling cloacal discharge. They feed on lizards and other small creatures. The species is egg-laying.

Source: IUCN Red Animal List

Research distinguishes three subspecies: Alsophis antillensis antillensis, Alsophis antillensis manselli and Alsophis antillensis sibonius. The population on Dominica is often seen as a separate species A. sibonius. The subspecies A. a. manselli is limited to Montserrat. The population in Guadeloupe may have died out.

Synonyms are Psammophis antillensis, Dromicus antillensis, Dromicus leucomelas.