Colubridae
Cuban Lesser Racer
HarmlessCaraiba andreae
6 photographs of the Cuban Lesser Racer. © Robyn Perkins.
The Cuban Lesser Racer (Caraiba andreae) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Cuban Lesser Racer
Caraiba is a monotypic genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus contains the sole species Caraiba andreae, also known commonly as the black and white racer or the Cuban lesser racer, which is endemic to Cuba. There are six recognized subspecies.
Taxonomy
The genus name, Caraiba, is a reference to the Caribbean. The specific name, andreae, is in honor of a Danish ship's master, "Captain Andrea", who collected the holotype.
Subspecies
The following six subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Caraiba andreae andreae (Reinhardt & Lütken, 1862)
Caraiba andreae melopyrrha (Thomas & Garrido, 1967)
Caraiba andreae morenoi (Garrido, 1973)
Caraiba andreae nebulatus (Barbour, 1916)
Caraiba andreae orientalis (Barbour & Ramsden, 1919)
Caraiba andreae peninsulae (Schwartz & Thomas, 1960)
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Caraiba.
Distribution and habitat
C. andreae is found throughout Cuba. It is also found on Isla de la Juventud (formerly called Isle of Pines), and on other smaller offshore islands.
The preferred natural habitats of C. andreae are shrubland and forest, at altitudes from sea level to 1,100 m (3,600 ft).
Description
Dorsally, C. andreae is black, with a dorso-lateral series of yellow spots on each side. The upper labials are white. Ventrally it is white, with black markings. Adults may attain a total length of 65.5 cm (25.8 in), which includes a tail 21.5 cm (8.5 in) long.
Reproduction
C. andreae is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Cuban Lesser Racer
- Is the Cuban Lesser Racer venomous?
- No. The Cuban Lesser Racer (Caraiba andreae) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Cuban Lesser Racer poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Cuban Lesser Racer is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Cuban Lesser Racer dangerous?
- The Cuban Lesser Racer is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Cuban Lesser Racer live?
- The Cuban Lesser Racer has verified records in 4 countries, including Cuba, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Greece. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Caraiba
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Caraiba andreae
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.