Oxybelis is a genus of colubrid snakes, endemic to the Americas, which are commonly known as vine snakes. Though similar in appearance to the Asian species of vine snakes of the genus Ahaetulla, they are not closely related, and are an example of convergent evolution.

Geographic range

Species of Oxybelis are found from the southwestern United States, through Central America, to the northern countries of South America.

Description

Body slender and laterally compressed, tail long. Head elongated and distinct from neck. Pupil of eye round. Dorsal scales smooth or weakly keeled, with apical pits, and arranged in 15 or 17 rows at midbody. Ventrals rounded at sides, subcaudals paired (divided). Maxillary teeth 20–25, subequal, except for the 3–5 most posterior, which are slightly enlarged and grooved on the outer surface. Anterior mandibular teeth strongly enlarged.

Species

There are 11 widely recognized species in the genus Oxybelis. Nota bene A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Oxybelis.

Etymology

The specific name, wilsoni, is in honor of American herpetologist Larry David Wilson.