Costa Rica Species
AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting

Tropidodipsas sartorii

Terrestrial Snail Sucker

Cope, 1863

Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A small, slender snake with a distinctively blunt head and a body patterned with alternating dark and light rings. Specialized for extracting snails from their shells.

Added by

Anonymous Curator

Reviewed by

Under Review

Other Names (Global)Regional and multilingual names used for this species across different countries and languages.

Terrestrial Snail SuckerCaracolera terrestreCulebra caracolera

TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.

PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Reptilia
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Squamata
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Dipsadidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Tropidodipsas
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Cope, 1863
Record Completeness
94%
Coming soon

Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.

OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.

Native

Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.

Stable

Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.

Year Round

Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.

Carnivore

Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.

Yes

Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang

Inhabits humid forests, cloud forests, and coffee plantations. Prefers areas with dense ground cover or leaf litter.

BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang

Mainly nocturnal and terrestrial. Very secretive, spending daylight hours hidden under rocks or logs.

Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang

Solitary behavior; rarely found in groups.

Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang

Specialized molluscivore.

Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang

Diet consists almost exclusively of land snails and slugs.

Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang

Oviparous; lays small clutches of eggs in damp, protected environments.

Physical Measures

Length (cm)

30.0 - 50.0 cm

Weight (Grams)

20 g - 80 g

Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.2 - 5
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes

Lifespan

Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.

18 - 24 Months

Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).

40 - 60

Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males5 - 8 Years
Females5 - 8 Years

Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.

Males Multi-lang

Males are typically slightly more slender.

Females Multi-lang

Females are typically larger and stouter, required for egg production.

Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang

Highly specialized jaw structure designed to extract soft-bodied mollusks from their shells with high efficiency.

Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang

Deforestation and conversion of land for agriculture, reducing the availability of its specialized prey.

Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang

Unlike many snakes that hunt by striking, this species uses its specialized jaws to 'pull' the snail out, a behavior that minimizes damage to the shell.