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DOI10.47051/QVFL2829 Published September 6, 2020. Open access.

Gallery ❯

Yellow-headed Flame-Snake (Oxyrhopus occipitalis)

Reptiles of Ecuador | Serpentes | Colubridae | Oxyrhopus | Oxyrhopus occipitalis

English common names: Yellow-headed Flame-Snake, Brown-capped False Coral Snake, Northern Calico Snake, Yellow-headed Calico-Snake.

Spanish common name: Falsa coral cabeciamarilla.

Recognition: ♂♂ 92.7 cmMaximum distance from the snout to the tip of the tail. ♀♀ 102.7 cmMaximum distance from the snout to the tip of the tail.. Adults of the Yellow-headed Flame-Snake (Oxyrhopus occipitalis) can be identified from other snakes in the Ecuadorian Amazon by a having yellow snout and a blackish patch on the dorsal surface of the head, which separates the head from the rest of the body. The body is uniformly red or orange-red dorsally and whitish ventrally.^1–3 Snakes of this species change in coloration throughout the organism’s lifespan: juveniles present dorsal bands that extend to the belly,¹ which become faint as adults.^4,5 Adult Yellow-headed Flame-Snakes are similar to Drepanoides anomalus and Pseudoboa coronata, and the juveniles resembles those of other Oxyrhopus and those of Siphlopis ayauma, but these other snakes have a dark or black snout (yellow or pale in O. occipitalis).¹

Figure 1: Yellow-headed Flame-Snakes (Oxyrhopus occipitalis) from Yuralpa () and Cotundo (), Napo province, Ecuador. ad=adult, j=juvenile.

Natural history: UncommonUnlikely to be seen more than once every few months.. Oxyrhopus occipitalis is a snake that inhabits lowland and foothill evergreen forests.^8,9 It occurs in plantations, disturbed areas, and roads,¹⁰ but it usually dwells in well-preserved forests.^1,9–11 Yellow-headed Flame-Snakes are mostly nocturnal,^1,5,12 but may as well be active during daylight hours.¹⁴ They are primarily terrestrial,^13,14 moving among leaf-litter on the forest floor or on low (0–50 cm above the ground)¹⁵ vegetation,^9,12,14 usually near watercourses.^1,5,16 Individuals of O. occipitalis are mildly venomous, which means they are dangerous to small prey, but not to humans.¹² Their diet consists of small mammals,¹² lizards (Arthrosaura reticulata),¹ and amphisbaenians.¹⁴ Yellow-headed Flame-Snakes are calm. Although they can defend themselves by biting, their main strategy is to flee into the vegetation, shaking the body and/or vibrating the tail.¹⁴ Gravid females contain 13–17 eggs.¹

Conservation: Least Concern Believed to be safe from extinction given current circumstances..⁵ Oxyrhopus occipitalis is listed in this category because it is a widely-distributed species^14,17 that is present in several protected areas throughout its range. In Ecuador, it is found in Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, Jatun Sacha Biological Reserve, Llanganates National Park, Sangay National Park, Sumaco National Park, Yasuní National Park, and Yachana Reserve. Ongoing human-related causes of mortality for members of this species are habitat loss, traffic, and direct killing (Yellow-headed Flame-Snakes are often mistaken with venomous snakes and therefore killed on sight). However, these causes will likely not lead the species to extinction in the near-term future.¹⁷

Distribution: Oxyrhopus occipitalis is widely-distributed throughout the Amazon basin and adjacent foothills of the Andes in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.^4,6 In Ecuador, the species occurs at elevations between 169 and 1595 m.

Figure 2: Distribution of Oxyrhopus occipitalis in Ecuador. See Appendix 1 for a complete list of the presence localities included in the map.

Etymology: The name Oxyrhopus, which comes from the Greek words oxys (meaning “quick”) and rhops (meaning “bush”),¹⁸ refers to the escape behavior of snakes¹⁹ of these genus; that is, fleeing into bushes. The specific epithet occipitalis is derived from the Latin word occiput, meaning “back of the head”.¹⁸ It probably refers to the dark patch on the dorsal part of the head.

See it in the wild: Yellow-headed Flame-Snakes can be seen with ~1–3% certainty in forested areas throughout the Amazon basin in Ecuador. Some of the best localities to find them in the wild in Ecuador are: Yasuní Scientific Station, Tiputini Biodiversity Station, and Jatun Sacha Biological Reserve. The snakes may be located by scanning the forest floor and leaf-litter along trails at night.

Acknowledgments: Special thanks to Andy Proaño, David Buitrón, Darwin Núñez, Diego Piñán, Freddy Velásquez, Grace Reyes, Jorge Vaca, Jose Manuel Falcón, and Thierry García for providing locality data for Oxyrhopus occipitalis.

Authors: Amanda Quezada^aAffiliation: Tropical Herping (TH), Quito, Ecuador.^,bAffiliation: Laboratorio de Herpetología, Universidad del Azuay, Cuenca, Ecuador. and Alejandro Arteaga^aAffiliation: Khamai Foundation, Quito, Ecuador.

Photographers: Jose Vieira^aAffiliation: Tropical Herping (TH), Quito, Ecuador.^,cAffiliation: ExSitu, Quito, Ecuador. and Sebastián Di Doménico^dAffiliation: Keeping Nature, Bogotá, Colombia.

How to cite? Quezada A, Arteaga A (2020) Yellow-headed Flame-Snake (Oxyrhopus occipitalis). In: Arteaga A, Bustamante L, Vieira J (Eds) Reptiles of Ecuador: Life in the middle of the world. Available from: www.reptilesofecuador.com. DOI: 10.47051/QVFL2829

Literature cited:

1. Duellman WE (1978) The biology of an equatorial herpetofauna in Amazonian Ecuador. Publications of the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas 65: 1–352.
2. Cole CJ, Townsend CR, Reynolds RP, MacCulloch RD, Lathrop A (2013) Amphibians and reptiles of Guyana, South America: illustrated keys, annotated species accounts, and a biogeographic synopsis. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 125: 317–578. DOI: 10.2988/0006-324X-125.4.317
3. Hoge AR, Santos NP, Heitor C, Lopes LA, Souza ID (1972) Serpentes coletadas pelo projeto Rondon VII em Iauareté, Brasil. Memórias do Instituto Butantan 36: 221–232.
4. MacCulloch RD, Lathrop A, Kok PJ, Ernst R, Kalamandeen M (2009) The genus Oxyrhopus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae) in Guyana: Morphology, distributions and comments on taxonomy. Papéis Avulsos Zoologia 49: 487–495. DOI: 10.1590/s0031-10492009003600001
5. Martins M, Oliveira ME (1998) Natural history of snakes in forests of the Manaus region, Central Amazonia, Brazil. Herpetological Natural History 6: 78–150.
6. Lynch JD (2009) Snakes of the genus Oxyrhopus (Colubridae: Squamata) in Colombia: taxonomy and geographic variation. Papéis Avulsos Zoologia 49: 319–337. DOI: 10.1590/s0031-10492009002500001
7. Sheehy CM, Yánez-Muñoz MH, Valencia JH, Smith EN (2014) A new species of Siphlophis (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Xenodontinae) from the eastern Andean slopes of Ecuador. South America Journal of Herpetology 9: 30–45. DOI: 10.2994/sajh-d-12-00031.1
8. Torres-Carvajal O, Pazmiño-Otamendi G, Salazar-Valenzuela D (2019) Reptiles of Ecuador: a resource-rich online portal, with dynamic checklists and photographic guides. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 13: 209–229. DOI: 10.2994/sajh-d-12-00031.1
9. Field notes, Reptiles of Ecuador book project.
10. Whitworth A, Beirne C (2011) Reptiles of the Yachana Reserve. Global Vision International, Exeter, 127 pp. 10.13140/RG.2.1.4130.6968
11. Ortega HM (2010) Diversidad de la herpetofauna en la centro Amazonía del Ecuador. MSc thesis, Instituto de Ecología A.C., 150 pp.
12. Starace F (1998) Guide des serpents et amphisbènes de Guyanne francaise. Ibis Rouge Editions, Matoury Cedex, 448 pp.
13. Yánez-Muñoz MH, Venegas PJ (2008) Anfibios y reptiles/Amphibians and reptiles. In: Alverson WS, Vriesendorp C, del Campo Á, Moskovits DK, Stotz DF, García Donayre M, Borbor LA (Eds) Ecuador, Perú: Cuyabeno-Güeppí. Rapid Biological and Social Inventories Report 20. The Field Museum, Chicago, 90–96.
14. de Fraga R, Lima AP, da Costa Prudente AL, Magnusson WE (2013) Guide to the snakes of the Manaus region - Central Amazonia. Editopa Inpa, Manaus, 303 pp.
15. Duellman WE (2005) Cusco amazónico: the lives of amphibians and reptiles in an Amazonian rainforest. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 433 pp.
16. Rojas-Morales J, Marín-Martínez M, Zuluaga-Isaza J (2018) Aspectos taxonómicos y ecogeográficos de algunas serpientes (Reptilia: Colubridae) del área de influencia de la Central Hidroeléctrica Miel I, Caldas, Colombia. Biota Colombiana 19: 73–91. DOI: 10.21068/c2018.v19n02a07
17. Ouboter P, Martins MRC, Schargel W, Rivas G (2019) Oxyrhopus occipitalis. The IUCN Red List of threatened species. Available from: www.iucnredlist.org. DOI: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T177433A44950913.en
18. Brown R (1956) Composition of scientific words. Smithsonian Books, Washington D.C., 882 pp.
19. Wagler JG (1830) Natürliches System der Amphibien: mit vorangehender Classification der Säugetiere und Vögel: ein Beitrag zur vergleichenden Zoologie. J.G. Cotta'scchen, München, 354 pp.

Appendix 1: Locality data used to create the distribution map of Oxyrhopus occipitalis in Ecuador (Fig. 2). Go to the section on symbols and abbreviations for a list of acronyms used.

Country	Province	Locality	Source
Colombia	Caquetá	Florencia	Nogueira et al. 2019
Colombia	Caquetá	Mandalay	Nogueira et al. 2019
Colombia	Caquetá	Puerto Abeja	Nogueira et al. 2019
Colombia	Caquetá	San José del Fragüa	Lynch 2009
Colombia	Caquetá	Tres Esquinas	Nogueira et al. 2019
Colombia	Putumayo	Orito	GBIF
Colombia	Putumayo	Vereda El Líbano	Lynch 2009
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Centro Shuar Kiim	Sheehy et al. 2014
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Centro Shuar Makuma	Sheehy et al. 2014
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	El Tiink	MZUA.RE.0107
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Gualaquiza	MNHN 1906.253
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Macas	AMNH 28855
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Miazal	Jose Manuel Falcón, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Puerto Morona	Jose Manuel Falcón, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Río Upano	AMNH 28810
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	San Juan Bosco	iNaturalist
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Sapapentza	Jose Manuel Falcón, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Taisha	Jose Manuel Falcón, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Tiwintza	Jose Manuel Falcón, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Morona Santiago	Watsakentsa	Jose Manuel Falcón, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Napo	20 km E Jondachi	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Napo	Anaconda Lodge	This work
Ecuador	Napo	Archidona	Diego Piñan, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Napo	El Chaco	Diego Piñán, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Napo	El Reventador	MHNG 0.6144
Ecuador	Napo	Estación Jatún Sacha	Vigle 2008
Ecuador	Napo	Guagua Sumaco	Andy Proaño, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Napo	Hollín–Loreto	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Napo	Jondachi	Grace Reyes, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Napo	Kiederle Farm	USNM 232981
Ecuador	Napo	Napo–Loreto	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Napo	Pacto Sumaco	This work
Ecuador	Napo	Puerto Napo	UIMNH 61115
Ecuador	Napo	Reserva Yachana	Whitworth & Beirne 2011
Ecuador	Napo	Sector Sarayacu	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Napo	Wild Sumaco	This work
Ecuador	Napo	Yuralpa	This work
Ecuador	Napo	Yuralpa Derecho	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Napo	Zoo el Arca	This work
Ecuador	Orellana	Aguarico	iNaturalist
Ecuador	Orellana	Ávila Viejo	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Orellana	Comuna 24 de Mayo	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Orellana	Pompeya Sur–Iro, km 40	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Orellana	Pozo Sunka	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Orellana	Río Bigal	Thierry García, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Orellana	Tiputini Biodiversity Station	This work
Ecuador	Orellana	Yasuni Scientific Station	This work
Ecuador	Pastaza	4 km N of Mera	iNaturalist
Ecuador	Pastaza	Balsaura	Ortega-Andrade 2010
Ecuador	Pastaza	Below Nuevos Horizontes	iNaturalist
Ecuador	Pastaza	Cabeceras del Bobonaza	USNM 232980
Ecuador	Pastaza	Campamento K10	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Pastaza	Campamento K4	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Pastaza	Canelos	This work
Ecuador	Pastaza	Centro Fátima	Andy Proaño, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Pastaza	Comunidad Tzarentza	This work
Ecuador	Pastaza	Conambo	Ortega-Andrade 2010
Ecuador	Pastaza	Copataza (Achuar)	Peñafiel 2013
Ecuador	Pastaza	Heimatlos	This work
Ecuador	Pastaza	Iwia (Achuar)	Peñafiel 2013
Ecuador	Pastaza	Juyuintza	Ortega-Andrade 2010
Ecuador	Pastaza	Kawa	Peñafiel 2013
Ecuador	Pastaza	Llanganates	Darwin Núñez, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Pastaza	Mera	KU 133534
Ecuador	Pastaza	Montalvo	USNM 232975
Ecuador	Pastaza	Paseo de los Monos	Jose Manuel Falcón, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Pastaza	Puyo	MHNG 1337.033
Ecuador	Pastaza	Río Raka Yaku	Freddy Velásquez, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Pastaza	Sarayacu	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Pastaza	Shell	USNM 232978
Ecuador	Pastaza	Shiripuno Lodge	iNaturalist
Ecuador	Pastaza	Tamandúa	This work
Ecuador	Pastaza	Tambo Unión	USNM 232976
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Duvuno	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Senderos Cuyabeno	David Buitrón, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Garzacocha	iNaturalist
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	km 10 Lago Agrio–Shushufindi	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Lago Agrio	Duellman 1978
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Limoncocha	UIMNH 54648
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Puerto Libre	Duellman 1978
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Redondococha	Yánez-Muñóz & Venegas 2008
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Río Aguarico	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Río Bermejo	DHMECN 8322
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	San Pablo de Kantesiya	MHNG 2260.003
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Santa Cecilia	Duellman 1978
Ecuador	Sucumbíos	Shushufindi	iNaturalist
Ecuador	Zamora Chinchipe	Alto Machinaza	Jorge Vaca, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Zamora Chinchipe	Bombuscaro	Darwin Núñez, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Zamora Chinchipe	Campanas	Nogueira et al. 2019
Ecuador	Zamora Chinchipe	El Padmi	Armijos 2010
Ecuador	Zamora Chinchipe	Nangaritza	Darwin Núñez, pers. comm.
Ecuador	Zamora Chinchipe	Tundayme	This work
Ecuador	Zamora Chinchipe	Valle del Quimi	Betancourt et al. 2018
Ecuador	Zamora Chinchipe	Yantzaza	iNaturalist
Peru	Amazonas	Aguaruna Village	MVZ 163303
Peru	Amazonas	Aintam	MVZ 163299
Peru	Amazonas	Cerro de Kampankis	Catenazzi & Venegas 2016
Peru	Amazonas	La Poza	USNM 566596
Peru	Amazonas	Yambrasbamba	iNaturalist
Peru	Loreto	Aguas Negras	USNM 521057
Peru	Loreto	Balta	LSUMZ 26807
Peru	Loreto	Paiche Playa	GBIF
Peru	Loreto	Río Lagarto Cocha	GBIF
Peru	Loreto	Río Tigre	Campbell & Lamar 2004
Peru	Loreto	Ucayali	FMNH 45607

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